‘Kindness Rocks’ at Hawtree

Despina DeLuca and the students of Hawtree Creek Middle School in South Ozone Park came to work with PS 233Q students very kindly on the “Kindness Rocks Project.”

Students all worked together to write words of kindness on painted rocks to help bring happiness and joy to those who read them. Kudos to all the kids for being so patient and helpful and for sharing their kindness and working so diligently with their new Hawtree Creek friends.

First, early in the week, students read the story “Kindness Rocks.” Then after the rocks were painted, everyone brainstormed words and phrases of kindness to be written on the rocks.

DeLuca, the school’s guidance counselor, initiated this event and many assisted in teaching the students about the “Kindness Rocks Project,” which helped prepare them for the event. It was truly a collaborative effort!

The rally was part of an ongoing response to the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel that left more than 1,400 dead and resulted in more than 200 people being taken to Gaza as hostages. Published reports place the turnout on the mall to be about 300,000.