Photo by Avery Kenworthy

The new Executive Board, featuring (from left) Natalie Baram, Zara Thomas, Anna Nam, and Fiona Avondolio.

Sofia Heins ‘26

STAFF WRITER

As the new school year is begins, so too does the District’s new theme: “Kindness Matters”. Each year, these themes act as the ultimate objective for students, providing direction and encouraging good behavior. With schools now in session, students can see this message portrayed through an abundance of blue shirts—detailed with smiley faces—promoting this theme. 

But what is Kindness Matters truly about? Every year, Superintendent Dr. John Sanville sends a welcoming email to all of the district’s families and explains the district initiative, which acts as a plan to establish a safe learning environment for all students. This year, his email outlined the goals of the “Kindness Matters” campaign and how it pertains to UCFSD as a whole: “Across our community, our students and staff tell us that UCFSD is a special place to be because we are curious, we think critically, we contribute to society, and we have character. Kindness abounds throughout our District. We are going to acknowledge that [kindness] and continue to encourage everyone to participate in acts of kindness, both small and big.” The theme is derived from UCFSD’s Portrait of a Graduate, which emphasizes the importance of building students’ characters based on compassion. In cooperation with this new initiative, the district created a 40-person committee to assist in this year’s efforts, with members spanning from district staff to community members, and even eight students from the district’s elementary, middle and high schools. 

As a central part of its goal, the district is encouraging students to recognize and acknowledge kind acts seen throughout the community daily. Within the first week of school, the elementary students were encouraged to reflect on what “kindness” means to them as they scribbled “being compassionate” and “helping people in need” across whiteboard walls. This reflection activity also includes UCFSD staff as new members participated in a short segment recording their outlook on kindness and its impact. Kindness continues to shine through long-standing traditions with the high school’s Homecoming events. All throughout the week of September 16, high school students who were part of the cheerleading squad, football team, and marching band have visited the elementary schools to spread kindness by sharing stickers with “Kindness Matters” designs. 

Throughout the year, this campaign will be continued and ultimately enacted in a variety of different ways: “We will spread kindness through special kindness cards, a surprise and-delight for community organizations, an end-of-year concert, and more,” said Nikki Laroya, the Director of Communications and Community Relations for the District. “We also look forward to sharing stories of kindness on our socialcommittee to assist in this year’s efforts, with members spanning from district staff to community members, and even eight students from the district’s elementary, middle and high schools. 

She noted, “It’s important to recognize kindness where it does exist and to respond where it does not.” Strategies to combat such situations will be 

implemented and will work to foster continued compassion and empathy throughout the district.