Central Boulevard Elementary School in Bethpage kicked off its annual “Random
Acts of Kindness” month at the start of February. The entire school gathered in the All-
Purpose room to cheer each other on and encourage positive behaviors.
School Social Worker Ms. Sarah Glassman and Principal Mr. Steven Furrey led
the assembly, first presenting a slideshow depicting the kind actions that take place in the
building each day, then describing the purpose of the month. Fifth graders read the book,
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? The story, by Carol McCloud, focuses on the idea of
“filling a bucket” with nice, caring, and helpful behaviors. Students in the CARE
program then took turns reading inspirational messages citing ways to “fill a bucket,”
such as offering compliments, assisting others, being friendly, and accepting all people.
Staff members all sported t-shirts decorated for “Random Acts of Kindness” month, some
encompassing the bucket-filling theme.
To close the celebration, Ms. Glassman announced that each classroom would
receive a bucket for children to fill with written examples of kind acts as they experience
them throughout the month. In keeping with the theme, she also explained that the school
is participating in “Pennies for Patients,” though they have re-named their effort,
“Change for a Cure.” This initiative collects donations to benefit the Leukemia and
Lymphoma Society. During the 2006-2007 school year, Central Boulevard students
raised more than 1 million pennies ($10,500) for the “Pennies for Patients” cause.
Photos: Karina Stabile, Syntax Communication
1: Central Boulevard Elementary School Principal Mr. Steven Furrey explains the
“Random Acts of Kindness” initiative, showing a slideshow of positive behaviors seen
throughout the building.
2: Fifth grade students read the book, Have You Filled a Bucket Today?
3: Students in the CARE program read various ways to “fill a bucket,” and placed
their written messages into a bucket provided by School Social Worker Ms. Sarah
Glassman.
