News & Announcements

BOURNE — Bourne Intermediate School Principal Jane Norton and School Adjustment Counselors Annmarie Ridings and Margaret Gilbert are pleased to share that Bourne Intermediate School celebrated National Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Week last month.

RAK Week was held in schools across the country from Feb. 13-19, coinciding with National Random Acts of Kindness Day on Thursday, Feb. 17.

Organized by Ridings and Gilbert, the week was filled with activities that demonstrated kind acts and gestures toward other people with an emphasis on empathy and thoughtfulness.

The week began with a "Kick-Off Rally", where the Bourne High School pep band performed the motivational song “Let’s Go Bourne." The performance was followed by a rendition of the song "Together Wherever We Go" from the musical Gypsy by Styne and Sondheim which was performed by the Bourne All-Star Revue cast.

"The purpose of the rally was to discuss empathy, since that is one of the five key components of emotional intelligence," Gilbert said. "Empathy was a key theme in the activities planned throughout the week."

Each morning of Kindness Week, the school day began with a student reading a kindness quote following the Pledge of Allegiance.

On Tuesday, Feb. 14, various members of the Bourne community, including from the school district, the police department, the fire department and a local chef, participated in RAK Week by reading positive stories to Bourne students.

"The positive stories helped to facilitate a conversation about how empathy is displayed by each of the guest readers in the places they work throughout the community," Riding said. "It is important that our students understand how this skill translates into the real world."

During the week, students completed a Kindness Bingo board full of challenges, including writing heartfelt messages to peers and staff. On Wednesday, Feb. 15, students gifted school bus drivers with cards to show their appreciation for driving them to and from school safely.

Students hung up paper testament hearts with acts of kindness they performed written on them throughout the week and posted them around the "Kindness…the Heartbeat of BIS" display in the school cafeteria.

The week concluded with a school-wide dance party on Friday, Feb. 17, where participating students wore special shirts and sunglasses.

"Random Acts of Kindness Week was a great opportunity for our students and staff members to show appreciation and care for one another," said Principal Norton. "The week's events and activities created a fun atmosphere for everyone to celebrate kindness and doing good deeds."