Grand Prairie celebrates kindness at Family Night

FRANKFORT, IL — Grand Prairie Elementary School celebrated the spirit of kindness all week during Red Ribbon and Bully Prevention Week, held October 21-25 at the school.

The school has always observed this special week in October for years. New this year, Tom Kress, of Your Power Project, presented to students about being powerful and using their voice to tell someone if they are hurt. Also, the school held its annual Family School Partnership Book Fair and Family Night during the week, themed “Kindness is Cool”, featuring Arctic animals.

At the Book Fair, Grand Prairie teachers and staff created a variety of activities for students and their families to enjoy. A very popular activity was the Kindness Tree, on which attendees could write a kind note to someone. There was also a Kindness Card area, where attendees could make cards for their friends, family members and veterans. Cards made for students and teachers were delivered the next day.

Two firefighters from the Frankfort Fire Protection District generously volunteered at the Book Fair to be mystery readers for students.

“It was such a special treat,” said Kirsten Frankovich, principal at Grand Prairie. “The students were excited to see some real life heroes reading books to them. We truly appreciate the fire district reaching out to us and becoming mystery readers.”

Also at the event, the library had a Kindness Corner, where students could read a book about kindness. The Throw Kindness Like Confetti area encouraged families to play a beanbag toss game with beanbags that had kind words on them.

Additionally, Frankovich and Assistant Principal Barb Shanahan reviewed the new standard-based report card with parents. A copy of the report card presentation is available on Grand Prairie’s website, under the “For Parents” tab.

“We are so thankful for the FSP and the Grand Prairie staff members that worked so hard to make a fun night for our families,” Frankovich said. “We are grateful to have such a supportive committee, and hope our students and their families had a fun night!”

Students also participated in a variety of themed days, like Pajama Day (“It’s Our Dream to be Drug and Bully Free”) and “Red-y to Make Healthy Choices” Day (during which students wore red) around Red Ribbon Week this week, which focused on drug and bullying prevention.