Coin-spiracy 2003/04
UNI Coins in Action - St. Albert, Alberta

An Update from Cheryl Moskaluk, a parent:

Our Invest in a Kinder World coin, no. 112 made its appearance at J.J. Nearing School in St. Albert, Alberta, at a special student assembly on February 9, 2004, the start of Random Acts of Kindness Week. The assembly was light-hearted and full of fun as Grade 6 student Jackson Wenger wrote a special kindness rap song, which was performed by a black-shirt-and-blue-jeans gang of teachers who had helped to plan Kindness Week activities. School principal Joan Tod told students, "Giving kindness is different than giving money. Kindness is amazing because we can give it away all day and we never run out. Sometimes when someone does something kind for us, we want to do something kind back to that person, but instead of paying them back we are inspired to be kind to someone else. In the same way, the next person is also inspired to be kind to others. In this way kind acts are links that form a chain of love."

To wrap up the assembly, Jackson then managed to randomly draw the name of his own class to much cheering, and so the coin was first passed to Grade 6B! During the week, colorful paper chain links began to appear around the school hallways, each recording a kind act. Outside each classroom, displays reminded everyone that "kind acts are links that form a chain of love."

Kind acts form a chain of love in JJN school hallways.

As the coin passes from class to class within the school, some of the hundreds of kind acts that happen every day, have been recorded in a journal.

Grade 6 students recorded kindness to others and to the Earth:
"I phoned my friend to tell her that she could come home with me. I also helped my friend get through the day whose dog died yesterday."
"I helped kids build a snow fort when they needed help."
"I helped Mr. R. with recycling."
"I will not litter and will ride my bike more."
"I used reusable containers instead of plastic bags."

Grade 3B, the next recipient of the coin, decided to help out a school family in need. School custodians Mr. and Mrs. Wood were going through a rough time while their daughter had surgery, so Grade 3 students helped out by staying late to pitch in with cleaning duties. They scrubbed desks and window sills inside their own classroom and around the school.

Grade 5A received the coin next and decided to write letters of appreciation to some of the parent volunteers. They thought about how the jobs parents were doing around the school, made things better for students and wanted to say thanks. The letters were drafted onto colorful card paper, decorated and presented to School Council, which was the next recipient of the coin.

J.J. Nearing school council received the coin just in time to do another act of kindness for the school. Many parent volunteers had organized a luncheon feast for teachers during Random Acts of Kindness Week. They got cooking again, this time with grills and flippers as they organized and served a pancake lunch for all students and staff on Feb. 24, Shrove Tuesday.

Coin #112 is now in the loving hands of Grade 2B students who are formulating their own kindness plan. Meanwhile beautiful paper chains of love have magically grown to encircle the whole school. Who knows how many kindness connections they have inspired as JJN's Coinspiracy adventures continue.

What's up next? Grade 2 students Hannah and Jon have just received the coin, paid forward by School Council.

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