The week before Thanksgiving, from November 18 to November 22, reminds students of the importance of kindness with Kindness Week. To celebrate this important week, students in the Renaissance class came up with spirit days to give students a chance to show their appreciation and thankfulness for their teachers, friends, and fellow students. 

Formerly known as “Thankful Week,” Renaissance came up with Kindness Week to help show appreciation for people that don’t get recognized everyday. With this reminder, students are able to show gratitude ahead of the holiday season in ways that they would not amidst finals and the upcoming breaks. 

“Oftentimes we lose value, or we lose the idea of being kind,” Renaissance Secretary Regina Li (11) said. “That is also why we have Thanksgiving to remind us to be grateful for one another and what we have.” 

One of the ways that Renaissance wanted to advance the meaning of kindness is by having spirit days that coordinate with different acts of kindness. These spirit days include getting the “Best of Both Worlds” by dressing as a country or pop singer, “We’re All Ears” by wearing Disney ears, “Kindness Grows” by dressing like a Disney adult, “Disney Duo Day,” and “Happily Ever After” which is where students wear crowns. Using these spirit days, students have a fun way to demonstrate kindness in this important week. 

“[I] feel like I’m making an impact on the school campus, just being a part of Renaissance,” Renaissance Special Projects Commissioner Shriji Patel (11) said. “I have a voice in the school and help through Kindness Week, which is one of the main events we do in Renaissance.”

Likewise, Renaissance tries to communicate to teachers, friends, and other staff members that they are loved and appreciated. This is shown by writing letters, giving gifts, sending emails to teachers, and verbally telling people that they are seen. This makes an impact on students’ moods and makes them feel more confident and comfortable with their friends. 

“A huge part of Kindness Week is to appreciate the staff and members around you, and for students to go and do kind gestures to the people around them in their daily lives,” Renaissance President Tala Hijleh (12) said. 

With the help of Renaissance students, students are able to find the true meaning of kindness. Ahead of the holiday season, this week is the perfect time to spread kindness and to show appreciation for those who are often overlooked. 

“Our campus is very open and we have kind staff,” Hijleh said. “Being kind does matter, and it will get you places whether you know it or not, because someone’s personality truly does show who they are from the inside and outside.”