Kindness Counts, an award-winning community service group started in the late 1990s, is a 12-
month program which continues throughout the summer, when school is not in session. The program
is open to extremely courteous volunteers in 6th, 7th, or 8th grades, who may participate during
the school year if they have a signed blue permission form in Mr. Smith's hands before by the
Friday afternoon prior to each planned event. We are especially hoping to reach out to 7th and
6th graders who have never participated in "Kindness Counts." Permission forms are available in
Room 136.

During the summer months, regular Kindness Counts participants from previous school terms keep
the program going. Families are contacted by email with regard to upcoming events in late June,
July, and August.

"Kindness Counts" is a community service group honored by the Commissioner of Education in
Hartford in June, 2007. The group also received the "Outstanding Volunteer Youth Group Award" in
2003, presented by the Volunteer Center of Southwest Fairfield County. "Kindness Counts"
volunteers perform yard tasks for homebound seniors, engage in hands-on "good deeds" tasks in
the community, prepare and serve full course dinners at homeless shelters, entertain at rest
homes, and do a variety of other things to illustrate their motto: "True happiness comes from
making others happy."

The new school term has begun, and the next "Kindness Counts" events fall in November. Yes, December 28th is the next scheduled event. Students wishing to participate should see Mr. Smith for details.