A Million Reasons to Believe in the Next Generation

What started as a simple classroom conversation has grown into something extraordinary.

Students, teachers, families, and staff across the Wooster City School District recently surpassed an ambitious goal: completing one million acts of kindness during the 2025-26 school year.

The district-wide campaign encouraged students to look for opportunities each day to help others, show compassion, and make a positive difference in their schools and community.

One Teacher’s Idea Sparked a Movement

The initiative began when kindergarten teacher Derek Ickes came across a story about a Colorado school district that had successfully completed a similar challenge.

Inspired by the concept, he introduced the idea to his students and began discussing how even small acts of kindness can have a meaningful impact.

Before long, the idea spread throughout the district.

“Our students have embraced the mantra that every act of kindness matters,” Ickes said. “Watching the goal of one million acts become a reality has been pretty special.”

Every Act Counts

The kindness campaign wasn’t limited to large service projects.

Students participated in food drives, Giving Tree initiatives, pop-tab collections, and other community service activities. At the same time, smaller everyday actions counted too—helping a sibling, encouraging a classmate, assisting a teacher, or simply making someone smile.

Families and community members were also encouraged to submit examples of kindness they witnessed, helping reinforce the message that positive actions matter both inside and outside the classroom.

Building a Culture of Compassion

School counselor Kaley Egli helped expand the initiative by creating creative opportunities for students to practice and celebrate kindness throughout the year.

Among the activities were “Drop Everything and Say Something Kind” moments, kindness-themed morning announcements, and a district-wide Kindness Spirit Week.

For Egli, some of the most meaningful moments came during conversations with students.

“Helping students recognize that their everyday actions matter and truly make a difference was incredibly meaningful,” she said.

More Than a Number

District leaders say the true success of the campaign isn’t the final tally.

“It’s not just about reaching one million acts,” said curriculum director Molly Richard. “It’s about creating classrooms where empathy, inclusion, and compassion are part of everyday learning.”

Superintendent Gabe Tudor agreed, noting that the culture created through the initiative may be the most important outcome.