Clinton students celebrate Do Something Nice Day

Facebooktwittermail

By Lindsay Steele
The Catholic Messenger

CLINTON — Oct. 5 was International Do Something Nice Day. Kindergarten through fifth-grade students at Prince of Peace Catholic School took time to make someone else’s day better. Each class focused on community leaders and made cards to brighten their day.

Kate Marlowe Kiely DeBo, a fifth-grade student at Prince of Peace School in Clinton, presents Sister Dorothy Mae Stolmeier, OSF, with a card she made as part of National Do Something Nice Day. Also present to receive cards from the fifth-grade class were Sister Virgina Krakow, OSF, left, and Sister Hilary Mullany, OSF.
Kate Marlowe
Kiely DeBo, a fifth-grade student at Prince of Peace School in Clinton, presents Sister Dorothy Mae Stolmeier, OSF, with a card she made as part of National Do Something Nice Day. Also present to receive cards from the fifth-grade class were Sister Virgina Krakow, OSF, left, and Sister Hilary Mullany, OSF.

The project originated with fifth-grade teacher Allison Schultz, who noticed the holiday on a calendar. She spoke to the other elementary teachers, who agreed that making cards would be a positive experience for the students. The students offered suggestions for who should receive the cards.

Kindergartners made cards for firefighters, while first-graders made cards for police officers. Second- graders made cards for local priests and third-graders made cards for the sheriff’s department. Fourth-graders made cards for Prince of Peace teachers and staff and fifth-graders made cards for Sisters of St. Francis in Clinton.

epay

Sister Hilary Mullany, OSF, was one of three sisters who visited the fifth-grade class that day to accept the cards on behalf of the Sisters of St. Francis. Students offered hugs as well, before the sisters departed to bring the cards back to their motherhouse, The Canticle. “They were darling kids,” Sr. Mullany said, noting that the artwork was excellent and full of variety.

She also felt the elementary teachers were “very wise” to suggest such a project which aims to help students develop their sense of generosity and gratitude. “Having a special day (for doing nice things for others) is part of the process of learning who they are and how they relate to people.”

The lesson made an impression on the students, who said they enjoyed doing something nice for some of the people who work to make Clinton a better place.

“They were probably smiling and happy,” said third-grader Sarah of local sheriff’s deputies receiving her class’s cards.

First-grader Sophie said she was excited to make a card for Clinton police officers “because they keep us safe.”

Ben, a fourth grader, made a card for Prince of Peace teachers and staff members. “It felt good because they had a smile on their face and they were happy.”

Second-grader Isaac felt good about making a card for local priests because “Jesus wants us to do nice things.”


Support The Catholic Messenger’s mission to inform, educate and inspire the faithful of the Diocese of Davenport – and beyond! Subscribe to the print and/or e-edition, or make a one-time donation, today!

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Facebooktwittermail
Posted on