STUDENTS ARE GETTING CAUGHT AT BEING GOOD

FRUITLAND -- When Ashley Mirly arrived early for school a few weeks ago, the fourth-grader decided to do something nice for teacher Pat McClard.

"I was helping out in the classroom for Mrs. McClard, dusting the shelves and stuff," Ashley explained.

She got caught. Her name was written on a paper star and placed in the Star Jar at North Elementary School.

Ashley's star was selected in the weekly drawing that has been going on all year. Most times, the reward is a candy bar.

"We try to incorporate kindness every day," said second-grade teacher Denise McDowell. "We hope the students may carry on throughout the summer."

Principal David Gross agreed. "We were looking for a positive way to encourage kids to do nice things for each other in school."

In February, the school began the Star Jar program. Teachers carry stars with them and keep an eye out for students doing something kind.

"Students can be caught being good," Gross said.

Children have been caught letting someone in front of them in line or helping a classmate who is hurt on the playground. They help teachers before and after school.

"Sometimes, we give a star to the one person who is quietly reading," McDowell said. "That usually causes the rest of the children to settle down and get to work."

Since February, close to 600 random acts of kindness have been recorded at the school.

Gross said the program was started early in the year to encourage a pattern of kindness. "We knew this week was coming up down the road," he said. "But we did not want this to become a one week kind of thing."

To mark the official week, second grade students of McDowell and Shirley Reimann planned something kind each day.

They made cards for nursing home residents. They walked across the street to Watch Me Grow day care and read stories to the little ones there. They pulled weeds in the school's flower beds and potted plants for each teacher. They made sweeten-up-your-day treats for the faculty and staff.

On Thursday, students went on a field trip to Trail of Tears State Park, but they didn't let the outing stop their kindness streak. They picked up litter at the park before they played.

Throughout the week, the youngsters also had secret pals and did small acts of kindness for them.

"It's nice to think about someone else all through the year," McDowell said. "I think kindness is contagious."

She must be right. During the ?? annual Random Acts of Kindness more than 20,000 people in two states participated.

The week is sponsored by the Southeast Missourian newspaper.

Joni Adams, managing editor, said the goal for the program has always been to encourage kindness year round by setting aside one week to call attention to the nice things people do everyday.