The Senior Advisory Squad has designed the “Pounce on Paws-ativity” campaign, a Kindness Recognition Lottery that encourages both students and faculty to recognize and reward acts of kindness within the school community.
Starting Monday, April 13, AAHS teachers, administrators and guidance counselors have the opportunity to nominate students for their acts of kindness. Whether it’s helping a classmate, showing respect to a teacher or simply making the school environment more inclusive, any act that demonstrates compassion and respect is eligible for recognition.
“The inspiration for the idea of pounce on paws came from the students themselves through our Student Advisory Committee where we discuss positives and areas of improvement, at AAHS,” Spanish teacher Dane Leone said. “They thought students could benefit and our school as a whole could benefit from a way to recognize positive behaviors and active acts of kindness that were happening throughout the building.”
To kick off the campaign, students and staff can pick up paper pawprints in the grade-level principal office during sign-in on Monday. These pawprints will serve as the “nominations” for the lottery. Teachers and staff are encouraged to fill out a paw whenever they witness an act of kindness. The form asks for the student’s name, grade and the reason they’re being nominated.
Once the pawprint is filled out, it should be sent to the guidance office by the end of the week. To make sure every grade is represented, the guidance office will have four separate baskets—one for each grade level—where the paws can be dropped off. The baskets will be conveniently located by the literature rack, just outside the office door.
Each Monday, the excitement builds as a live drawing on MLTV will randomly select one act of kindness from each grade level. The nominated student’s name, grade, and the reason for their recognition will be read aloud, bringing attention to the wonderful things happening within the AAHS community.
“I think it’s important to recognize all the great things that are happening in school,” Spanish teacher Kayleen Czankner said. “It’s easy to focus on the negative, but there’s so many great things that happen every day. I think sometimes such a small thing can have a bigger effect on someone’s day.”
The “Pounce on Paws-ativity” campaign offers a refreshing way to spotlight the good that happens in AAHS every day. Whether it’s a kind word, a thoughtful gesture, or helping someone in need, this initiative will help ensure that kindness doesn’t go unnoticed.
Senior Advisory member Ella Albright believes it is a good way for both her and students in the entire school to share their opinions and kindness.
“I think it’s important to do it because it can really make someone’s day, I know if I won at the end of the month I would be thrilled and I think the person who wins will be too,” Albright said. “This is also a way to get students to recognize other students’ acts of kindness. I thought it would be a good way to voice my opinion on things in the school, while doing something good for the school.
For more details or questions about the campaign, students and faculty can reach out to Dane Leone or Kayleen Czankner.
