Kindness rocks at MK-8

Over the last few weeks, students at the MK-8 have been painting almost 400 river rocks as part of a much larger project. Many of the painted rocks were on display last Thursday afternoon, before the kids took them home for the next stage of the plan.

Art teacher Dawn Anderson explained the mission: "In cities around the world, people have been painting rocks and hiding them around their community and schools.  It lets the rock-finder know that someone cares and is thinking of them.  In art at MK8, we have painted kindness rocks during art class and students have taken them home, to either give away as a gift, or to hide them in their neighborhood (with their parents' help). We also colored paper kindness "rocks" and have hidden them at school."

The un-improved rocks were gathered and donated by the Hacklin family, owners of Quality Aggregate and Construction just west of Moorcroft, after Anderson approached them with a request for a few stones.

Students from Kindergarten to sixth grade each chose a rock and painted a background, used paint and metallic markers to embellish it with words and phrases before covering the individualized stone with mod-podge to protect the artwork. 

"Students have waited, impatiently," smiled Anderson, "To take them home after they've been on display at school until parent/teacher conferences."  

When the finished art went on display, Anderson, MK-8 principal Lori Enright and Assistant Principal Sherry Ewing welcomed Tammy Hacklin and Jamie Stanley to look over the colorful results. Stanley was impressed, "They did a good job."

Anderson advises people who may discover one of these special gifts: "If you find a rock, you can post it on Facebook or Instagram. Make sure you tell where you found it! Then, you can keep the rock or hide it for someone else to discover. Happy rock hunting and remember, 'Kindness Rocks!'"