Kindness Is Free...

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What if every day were similar to these days between Thanksgiving and New Year's? I ask this question because as I walk through public places with crowds each year during the holidays, it's ironic to me to see how many more kind and giving people you come across during this one month stretch. I find people saying please more frequently, I see people donating to causes, and I certainly hear the words "thank you" more often for simple gestures like letting someone go onto an escalator first. What would our society be like if every day were like this? I ask this question because I wonder, does everyone suddenly change into some bizarro personality because that's what they think they are supposed to be during the holidays or do all of the really polite, well-mannered people suddenly emerge from hiding and spend time in public during this month? We all know manners, how to be respectful, how to treat others... so what is so hard about being that way every day? Sure we all have bad days and can have moments where we forget how the simple things in life can completely change a person's day. But why has the world become a place where we focus on negatives more than positives? I was asked recently about a couple of incidents that have happened in other areas of the State and my first reaction was, "What about all of the amazing things that students and teachers are doing every day in those places that no one even knows about?" It's true, every day our kids, our staff, our parents, and our community are doing much more good than they are given credit for. We simply enjoy the attention and gossip of negative events, whether the information we hear or read is true or not. What if people were more recognized for the good things they did each day, would they do more of it? Too often, people don't do the little things in life because we feel like they may go unnoticed or not given praise. Maybe the praise and recognition we need is not external but internal. Perhaps the feeling that one gets when they do a small gesture of kindness or go out of their way to help another is what we need. In this world of uncertainty and negativity, we all need simple gestures that help us through our day and help us know that someone else cares. It can be as simple as holding a door, sending a message, writing a card, picking up a tab, or even saying hello to someone. We all know that society would be a better place with more random acts of kindness... it's time to stop preaching to the choir about it and start leading the orchestra. Last time I checked, kindness is not only free, but it's an extremely powerful gesture that can have a profound impact on people we don't even know.

ThougthExchange Project

This weekend, the district has launched a ThoughtExchange for families and staff to learn more about what skills and characteristics our students need to be successful learners in the future world. This is part of a project to develop a Portrait of a Learner. To participate in our ThoughtExchange, please visit the link: https://tejoin.com/scroll/235831319. We ask that you please share your thoughts on the questions, as well as rate the responses of others. This exchange will be open until the end of the day on Thursday, December 22.

Congratulations Musicians

Recently, Rome Free Academy had several musicians receive honors for their talents and performance. The following students qualified for All-State honors: Dakota Morrison and Jacob Cosentino for mixed choir and Gregory "Alex" Brown for the symphonic band. Above these honors, Jacob and Gregory also qualified for All-Eastern ensembles. Congratulations to these students, their families, and their teachers over the years for such an amazing accomplishment!!

AREA Community Conversation

Throughout the year, our Equity Task Force will be hosting a series of community conversations to learn more about the needs and desires of our students and community in the area of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The conversations have been ongoing and have been held in various locations throughout the community. This coming Thursday evening, December 15, there will be a community conversation at Jervis Library from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. We hope to see you there.

RFA Class of 2023 Fundraiser

Please join the Rome Free Academy Class of 2023 for Breakfast with Santa! On Saturday, December 17, the senior class of RFA is hosting a fundraiser from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Rome Free Academy. For more information, please see their flyer on our PeachJar at: https://app.peachjar.com/flyers/2374691/districts/32521.



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