Third-grade students in Jill Stevenson’s and Jennifer Simicich’s class started the school year getting to know their new routines and classmates. One of their first projects together was an introduction to the Kindness Rocks Project, a popular trend in which people paint simple messages or create festive artwork onto rocks and place them for others to find.

“This simple project for our students actually has a dual purpose,” said Ms. Stevenson, “to share compassion with others and bring joy to themselves.”

In addition to sharing them in their classroom, the students will work to broaden their reach of cultivating compassion by placing the rocks around the school building and playground. The colorful words of encouragement will also be added to their “rock garden” throughout the year.