Community Park fifth-graders present district SEL ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ program

Community Park School students and staff described their social‑emotional learning (SEL) program to the Princeton Board of Education at its May 27 meeting, highlighting classroom lessons, schoolwide events and community partnerships aimed at promoting kindness and inclusion.

The presentation was delivered by school staff on behalf of Community Park’s fifth‑grade “kindness ambassadors,” with supporting remarks naming librarian/media specialist Bevin Jones and fifth‑grade teacher Megan Mulroney. Presenters said the school uses the Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) curriculum, which they described as CASEL‑approved and research‑based and used as a tier‑1 K–12 SEL curriculum districtwide at CP for five years.

Why it matters: presenters said the work aims to promote school climate and student well‑being, and to give upper‑grade students leadership roles that support younger pupils. Activities described included Start With Hello week (an inclusion initiative formed by Sandy Hook Promise), monthly “Final Friday” assemblies, a student pledge practiced each morning in English and Spanish, a coping‑skills library “café” and an array of classroom and schoolwide kindness projects.

Staff and students detailed specific programs: a “kindness champions” program in which fifth graders choose year‑long kindness goals and lead morning announcements and transitions; recess “runners” where students log laps to earn charms; buddy reading with pre‑K and kindergarten classes; and expanded media center and music activities integrated with SEL lessons. The presenters said the school collected 1,745 books in a recent Book Smiles drive connected to World Kindness Day.

Presenters also described a May pilot called the Coping Skills Café, where library class stations introduced breathing exercises, journaling, movement, art and other strategies for students to try and discuss. Community partners mentioned included Clean Ocean Action, Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, Princeton Mobile Food Pantry, Book Smiles and Trenton Cats Rescue.

"We are kind. We are responsible. We are cooperative. We are in control. We are CP," the presenters recited as the school pledge, which they said is alternated in Spanish and English during morning announcements.

School staff said they make resources available to families in English and Spanish and that the program seeks to be inclusive of cultural holidays and varied traditions.

The presentation occupied the student‑highlight portion of the board agenda and did not include a board action. Board members responded with thanks and praise for the students and staff for the presentation.