VAIS Vision E-Magazine, Spring 2019 Issue 7

Kindness Matters
Katherine Cockerham, Clubhouse Coordinator
St. Catherine’s School, Richmond
When I began planning the Clubhouse after-school program, little did I know
how much it would transform my life. I knew the program would be a great
place for students to engage in enrichment classes, STEM activities, and good oldfashioned
fun. I wanted to bring back “old school” activities, such as Kick the Can,
sewing, and building. As much as we depend on technology, I did not want that
to be the focus. I also wanted to instill in the girls some basic kindness skills. I saw
a need for this, as competition to be the best often seems to take over their little
lives. I love the kindness rocks project that is sweeping the country, and I thought
that would be a great way to start.
I went to Home Depot and bought three fifty-pound bags of river rocks that I
would ask the girls to paint with kind words. As they began this project, they were
moved by the fact that someone walking around campus would find their rock
and that it could brighten their day. We talked about what it means to have a bad
day, and how, when you are a child, things in your life might not
seem as bright as they should. I took the girls to each division’s
chapel service to announce the Clubhouse Kindness Rocks
project. They asked everyone who found a kindness rock to
please take their picture with it, and we would post the pictures
on our bulletin board in the hallway for all to see.
As they started painting rocks, the girls began painting
rainbows, hearts, puppies, kittens, confetti, sunshine, flowers,
and more. Their encouraging words included: shine your light,
rainbow kisses, keep on, be brave, be strong, you have a friend,
and you are loved. More and more students, faculty and staff
would find the kindness rocks and come to my office to have
their picture taken. Before we knew it, the bulletin board was
full of pictures of students, faculty, and staff with big smiles and
holding their kindness rocks. The Clubhouse girls were excited
to see the bright smiles, but more importantly, how happy they
had made someone. They began to understand that kindness
feels good; that it matters.
We are in our second year of the Clubhouse after-school
program, and my students look forward to painting kindness
rocks and hiding them weekly. With this small act of kindness,
they have helped build a community, meeting people on campus
that they might not have had the opportunity to meet before.
I have purchased over 600 pounds of rocks. I wash every single
rock before the paint goes on. The task of removing all the dirt
and debris so that someone may have a beautiful rock to hold is a
wonderful practice for me. I feel how the girls feel when they see a
smiling photograph of someone who has found their small gift of
kindness go up on the bulletin board.
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