Barnegat Schools Celebrate Random Acts Of Kindness Week

BARNEGAT – Barnegat Township School District (BTSD) is embracing love and kindness by giving back to the community and bringing happiness to all. Eager to begin, students didn’t wait for February 13 to start their acts, in fact, some began in January!

Students and staff members at the Robert L. Horbelt Intermediate School started their acts of kindness early this year, with each student receiving five paper hearts. These hearts represent random acts of kindness the students were expected to perform. As students did so, they documented what the act was on the heart and then handed them over to school counselors and homeroom teachers so the hearts could be displayed in hallways and on bulletin boards throughout the school. The goal was to complete 100 random acts by Valentine’s Day - and students crushed that goal. Many of the Barnegat students across the schools did similar projects, all with the goal of spreading more love and positivity across the district. The efforts for Random Acts of Kindness Week were headed by Carolyn Johnson, Ed.S., District Supervisor of Guidance, who saw that students across the district got to do the same challenge as Horbelt using stars, hearts, and more.

“Our students are here in our schools to learn important academic skills and cultivate their creativity, but it is equally important that we teach them about being good people.” said Johnson. “If even just one of these kids learns how much these small acts of goodness can do for others, I’ll be proud, but based on how many students have been participating, our future is looking bright!”

Preschool students at the Lillian M. Dunfee Elementary School shared some smiles by decorating Wawa coffee cup sleeves that were given to the Barnegat Township store on West Bay Avenue. The coffee sleeves decorated by

– Photo courtesy Barnegat School District the young artists were available at the coffee counter to spread some joy to early morning coffee goers on February 17, Random Acts of Kindness Day.

In another act of kindness, Cecil S. Collins Elementary School students have partnered with Kids for Peace for their “Coins for Our Earth Campaign” which raises money to help clean our oceans. The fundraising started this week and will finish at the end of the month. This campaign aims to teach students that kindness can connect people on a global scale. For every $10 raised, 1 pound of trash is removed from the oceans.

“We hope to teach our students that all acts of kindness, no matter how big or how small, can have a positive impact,” said Dr. Brian Latwis, BTSD Superintendent. “In Barnegat, we believe that it is not only important to talk about being kind, but it is equally as important to model kindness. We want to instill in our students that when they choose to act with kindness, it will inspire those around them to do the same, creating a rippling effect of positivity.”

‘New Jersey’s Troubadour’ Valerie Vaughn To Perform

TUCKERTON – Enjoy original acoustic music that brings dramatic dimension to New Jersey folklore. The Ocean County Library Tuckerton Branch is pleased to present Valerie Vaughn, “New Jersey’s Troubadour,” 6:30 p.m. March 20.

Valerie has performed throughout New Jersey in a distinguished career. Her evocative songs earned the Ocean County Commission’s Special Award, and also the Pine Barrens Festival Award for preserving “the culture, heritage, and natural beauty” of the Pinelands. She has appeared at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in televised specials, shared the stage with the legendary Pete Seeger, and thrilled audiences in England with her musical tales.

In addition to performances and dialogues posted on her YouTube channel, Valerie is also featured on the Tuckerton Seaport website and offers courses at the Jersey Shore Folklife Center.

Register at theoceancountylibrary.org/ events for this free program. For more information, visit the Tuckerton Branch, 380 Bay Avenue, or call 609-296-1470.