The Annual Day of Caring at Northside Middle School focuses on the power of small acts of kindness, fostering a nurturing and supportive school culture.

This event is coordinated by teachers, staff and administrators who seek input from student organizations in the planning process.

Throughout the day, students engage in meaningful service projects, including knitting hats for premature babies at a local hospital, making bracelets for patients at Children’s Hospital, writing letters to local veterans, creating holiday cards for nursing home residents, making blankets for shelter dogs and organizing the school’s care and clothing closet.

In addition to hands-on activities, students received a lesson presented from student leaders of Where Everybody Belongs (WEB) organization. The lesson encourages students to actively seek ways to show kindness and uplift one another.

“The Day of Caring plays a key role in reinforcing our school’s values of empathy, inclusion, and teamwork,” Tiffany Hall, principal of Northside Middle, said in a press release. “It encourages students to step outside of their day-to-day routines and engage with each other in meaningful ways. They learn the value of service, build stronger connections with peers, and develop a sense of pride in contributing to the community.”

This event also creates a unique opportunity for students to connect with peers they may not typically interact with, allowing new friendships to flourish.

“As young adults we need to learn to show kindness in workplaces. Right now school is our workplace,” Ivy Epperson said, an eighth grader in WEB. “The main goal is also to help others feel joy.”  

Looking ahead, WEB members are currently planning school-wide kindness projects in the spring, ensuring that every student feels included and valued.

Hall also expressed her enthusiasm for the future of such events at the school.

“The energy and enthusiasm from students is truly inspiring,” Hall said.  “It was incredible to see students working together, showing kindness, and taking initiative at the Day of Caring.  I’m excited to see how these experiences continue to shape our school community moving forward.”