The B.C. legislature is not always known for kindness and caring during debates over government policy.
But next week provincial politicians will hear about Real Acts of Caring Week (RAC), Feb. 12 to 18, which was started by a School District 43 (SD43) teacher nearly two decades ago.
On Monday (Feb. 13), students from Porter Elementary in Coquitlam will ferry to Victoria to talk about the importance of kindness and hear a proclamation declaring RAC week.
What is RAC week?
"It's doing something caring and kind for another without expecting anything in return," Grade 5 student Elise Squeo told SD43 trustees at a board meeting Tuesday (Feb. 7), where RAC week was also proclaimed.
Teacher Harriette Chang, who got the ball rolling on RAC when she taught at Central Elementary in 2005, said her students were first skeptical of the idea of doing something nice without getting paid.
However, after discussing the idea they wanted to get their whole school — and the City of Port Coquitlam — involved by writing letters and giving out treats and flowers.
Since then, the program has taken root in several Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody schools.
Kindness releases serotonin
It's also popular in the Penticton school district and a school in Egypt is also participating, trustees were told.
"We feel happier when we are caring and kind because of the release of serotonin," said Janine Hu, a Grade 12 student at Port Moody Secondary.
Caring for the environment is this year's theme and students handed out cloth bags, made by the environment volunteer group Fabric Bag Solution.
Students also urged politicians to care for the planet by recycling, driving less, and using less water and electricity.
To find out more, or get involved, visit the RAC website.
