While taking in our last sunset on a long weekend away with my family in Cape Cod, I came across several rocks in the sand with writing on them and a piece of driftwood with the words, “The Kindness Rocks Project: Take 1, Leave 1, Start 1.” As I began to read the words on the rocks, the messages were both motivational and inspirational. I chose my favorite, “Life’s a journey, not a race,” and kept my rock in my pocket the rest of the evening.

This rock felt good to my heart. It’s amazing that something so small could evoke such an emotional response. How could I share The Kindness Rocks Project with others?

I immediately thought of Unquowa; a school with kindness embedded in its walls and its people. This would be the perfect project for my incoming fifth grade class.

Mrs. Faulkner was the best partner to have in sharing this experience with the fifth grade. After viewing the project’s website and understanding its purpose, the kids were immediately supportive and teeming with ideas to make this rock garden a place of kindness. We worked over a few weeks to gather supplies, create our space and rocks, and write a message to share with the community at assembly. There could not have been a better group of kids to work with.

The point of the project really hit home when today one of the fifth grade girls said to me in passing, “Mrs. Lamb, someone picked my rock!” with a look of complete satisfaction knowing that her message connected with someone.

Please feel free to share in this project with us. Visit our garden, choose a rock that feels right, and leave one to inspire others. There is no better place than Unquowa to spread seeds of kindness that will continue to grow much further than the boundaries of our school.