Board hears 'Kindness Wall' presentation aimed at improving middle-school climate
Summary
Christine Lamb presented the district’s Kindness Wall initiative (sponsored in Illinois by the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater), a moderated, school-based social-media-style platform for positive student messages. The board praised the program and noted assemblies and displays underway.
Christine Lamb presented a student-wellness initiative Jan. 28 to the Ball Chatham CUSD 5 board, describing a district pilot of the "Kindness Wall," a moderated, social-media-style platform designed to encourage positive messages among middle-school students.
Lamb said the program — made freely available in some districts through university partnerships — allows students, staff and parents to post messages that come to school staff for approval before publication. "It's very much like social media, but they do a great job and it's really been fun," Lamb said, describing how posts appear on cafeteria TVs and in weekly slides during the district's "Kindness Month."
She described an assembly by the program’s founder that drew a strong student response and emphasized that the program is intended to teach students how to use social media positively and to provide guardrails for online behavior. Lamb said the tool allows staff to review submissions (school email is tagged) and, in rare cases, edit or decline posts when necessary.
Board members thanked staff for the work and noted ways families and students can view or participate: the Kindness Wall feed is featured in the district newsletter and on the district website, and Jared Kester and other staff will participate in building tours and town halls where the program will be discussed.
The presentation did not require board action; the district will continue implementing the Kindness Wall and include the initiative in upcoming community town halls.
