Promoting Kindness and Compassion at Ward Melville High

Ward Melville High School students, faculty and staff recently came together to foster a culture of kindness during a day centered on compassion, acceptance and awareness – an event they called Patriot PRIDE (Peace, Respect, Integrity, Dependability, Encouragement) Day.

Keeping in line with the school’s PBIS program and New York State Dignity for All Students Act regulations, the program offered students many outlets for hearing and experiencing the countless ways that they can help create a culture of kindness.

The event began with keynote speaker Shadrack Boakye, who focused on the struggle of humanity and spoke about his personal experiences. Students then had the chance to attend some 30 different thematic workshops with a variety of professionals. Presenters discussed such topics as the holocaust, how to prevent harassment in college sports, tips for overcoming anxiety and stress and animal cruelty. Hands-on workshops afforded students the chance to learn about the impact of a group by playing hand-held African drums and fashioning 1,000 paper cranes as a symbol of peace.

Photo by Three Village Schools: Ward Melville High School students play hand-held African drums during this year’s Patriot PRIDE Day.