NORTH HUNTINGDON — Students at Queen of Angels Catholic School know their mission is  possible: to become secret agents of kindness. Every day, they are committed to doing something to make a friend or classmate happy. Their efforts are part of a tidal wave of good

will that is sweeping across the school called simply, the Kindness Club.

The Kindness Club was founded in September by third-grade teacher Karen Longo. Her hope was to increase positive thinking, gratefulness and kindness as a means of conflict resolution.  She first implemented “smile sheets” for daily display on student lockers.

These sheets said “thanks for making me smile,” and were written to classmates explaining what they did to make a friend happy that day. Smile sheets evolved into posters, then a book of positive sayings.

“I witnessed the efforts put forth by these incredible kids, and I knew I needed to make the Kindness Club a reality,” Longo said.

Now 25 members strong, the Kindness Club involves students of all ages like fourth-grader Jesse Dermotta.

“It really helps us reflect Jesus and God,” Jesse said.

Her friend and fellow Kindness Club member Presley Kelly said, “Most of our posters have messages that remind us what we can do to be like Jesus.”

Longo said the group made posters with jack-o’-lanterns for each classroom in October to remind others “to let your light shine.”

“We talked about ways we could let Christ’s light shine for others,” Longo said.

In November, the Kindness Club raised $1,600 for neighbors in need through a turkey drive. In December, they made cards and a small gift for parents and grandparents who attended the school’s Christmas Mass.

The newest initiative, “Sprinkle Kindness Like Confetti,” was launched Jan. 10 as club members received Kindness Club action cards, along with some positive messages after school.

“Their job will be to follow the directions on the cards and then pass the kindness card to someone outside the club. The students will be encouraged to pass the card anonymously, placing it in or on someone’s desk, locker or mailbox.  We hope that the recipient of the card will then do the same,” Longo said.

“Students can take these cards as they please in order to help make our school a kinder place,” she said about the effort to extend the club’s work beyond its members.

“We’re making efforts to show kindness to others in our school, families, parishes, and community. We want to act on the Corporal Works of Mercy as we reach out to

others.”

— By Jennifer Miele