Remembrance

Recently I heard a story about the upcoming anniversary of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. In the story, the mayor of Newtown, Connecticut spoke of the anniversary and how the families of the students and teachers wanted people to commit an act of kindness on the anniversary of the shooting. As I sat in my car listening, my mind went back to that day. I remember eating lunch and hearing the news and being almost numb. An elementary school. First graders. It is the unimaginable happening. That afternoon, I didn’t teach or assess. We played. We made art. We danced. We didn’t follow a routine or have instructions, we just played. It was our small way of honoring those first graders who would never again get to play or make art.

As I sat in my car listening to that story and the desire for people to commit acts of kindness, almost immediately an idea started to form. We are a part of something amazing. We are not only teachers, but we are this large community of teacher bloggers and readers. I started to realize that if we all banded together and made this desire for acts of kindness a mission of ours, we could truly bring out a powerful outcome. Just think about the blogs we read and follow. Multiply that by thousands. That is a tremendous reach. Now, imagine if those thousands and thousands of people did just one act of kindness on December 14th. Can you think of a more beautiful and powerful way to remember our fallen colleagues and their students?

So an idea was born. We remember. We act. We heal.

As educators, we remember and honor our fallen colleagues and their students from Sandy Hook School. We honor them each day in our classrooms in which we continue their dream of teaching our children. We honor their memory with our service. Join with teachers everywhere in committing random acts of kindness to show our love for Sandy Hook.

Let’s join together as a community of teachers, bloggers and FRIENDS to spread the word about this movement to honor Sandy Hook. Let’s not only commit to committing acts of kindness on December 14th, but let’s commit to committing acts of kindness on December 15th and in the spring and the summer. Let’s commit do kindness for Sandy Hook.

Here are some ways to spread the word:

Feel free to use the image above and share it on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and wherever you can. Email it to all of your co-workers, friends and family. Spread the word. December 14th is a day to remember and honor Sandy Hook with simple acts of kindness.

As you share on social media, please use the hashtag #love4SH to spread the word and fuel a movement.

I am honored to be part of such an amazing community of teachers and friends. You are truly inspirational each day!

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kindergarten smorgasboard

Greg Smedley-Warren

Howdy, I am Mr. Greg. I have been teaching for 11 years. I spent a year teaching fifth grade, two years in second grade and am now in my 9th year in Kindergarten. Kindergarten is my passion and my calling but honestly, that wasn’t how it started. Read the whole story >

A Kindergarten Smorgasboard Schedulin’ Sunday!

20 comments

Susanna Westby December 10, 2013 at 12:41 am

Beautiful idea, Greg…thank you so much for finding a way for us all to contribute in such a meaningful way. <3
Susanna
Whimsy Workshop Teaching

Growing Firsties December 10, 2013 at 1:44 am

Love this. Love you.
You inspire me.
Hugs – Lisa
Growing Firsties

Everyone deServes to Learn December 10, 2013 at 2:13 am

You made me tear up, Greg. I loved your story about just playing and making art. I had 8th graders that period and we just held hands and talked- they were so scared.

-Maria
Everyone deServes to Learn

Shelley- TheWriteStuff December 10, 2013 at 3:29 am

Beautifully written Greg. Thanks so much for this post and this opportunity.

Shelley

The Perks of Teaching Primary

Lori Wessing December 10, 2013 at 3:44 am

Wonderful idea…we are planning to join in! Thanks so much for organizing this!!

She (Sprinkle Teaching Magic) December 10, 2013 at 4:25 pm

Beautifully written.

Dixie Selva December 10, 2013 at 9:20 pm

What a great idea! Thank you for sharing this.
Dixie
Teachin' Little Texans

Jennifer Reynolds December 11, 2013 at 12:52 am

In the words of my favorite holiday folk song, we will “light one candle for hope!” May all of our days be full of acts of kindness and remembrance!

CaseyJane Cooper December 11, 2013 at 2:44 am

This is lovely. Thank you, Greg.

WigglingScholars

Kyp Mclaren December 12, 2013 at 12:44 am

Wow! It's weird how time for some of us seems to go by quickly, while I'm sure for the families of Sandy Hook this past year has been extremely long. I thank you for bringing this all back to us to remember how precious little acts of kindness mean to everyone. And, how precious each of those lost touched another person's life!!
Kyp

Melissa Machan December 12, 2013 at 3:52 am

Thank you for your organization and inspiration. I just posted to my blog about this and linked back here. It is such an awful thing that happened, but this is a way to bring people together and spread the positivity. Thank you!!!

Melissa
First Grade Smiles