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The March for Kindness is a real-world example of the profound influence people — including young children — possess to spark change. The march has been an integral part of the Kindergarten social studies curriculum since 2022 thanks to Olympia Hamlor, Kindergarten Head Teacher.
At the beginning of March, the streets of Chelsea are filled with positivity as Corlears School Kindergarteners lead a cheerful March for Kindness through the New York City neighborhood.
Each March, Corlears students and their parents hold handmade signs and proudly chant “Corlears for kindness!” along 8th Avenue.
It's a story that begins with a creative teacher bringing a social studies curriculum to life.
Learning to Stand Up for Change
The March for Kindness is a real-world example of the profound influence people — including young children — possess to spark change. The march has been an integral part of the Kindergarten social studies curriculum since 2022 thanks to Olympia Hamlor, Kindergarten Head Teacher.
It all started when, in class, students shared what they love about Corlears School: "We transform together, care for each other, love each other, and help each other rise when we fall," Olympia shares. “We talked about the importance of kindness and unity, and students expressed a desire to see more of it.”
To take action, the Kindergarteners wrote letters to school leadership, proposing a march. Both the Head of School, David Egolf, and Associate Head of School, Mansi Vasa, visited the K class to hear the children’s reasons. After discussing the idea, students eagerly began creating signs and planning announcements for the event.
Annually, the march is a culmination of a social studies unit that goes hand-in-hand with Corlears’ Core Values and social studies curriculum. Students begin by studying the history of schools in America. As they learn about school segregation during the 1950s and ‘60s, they are introduced to courageous change-makers from the Civil Rights Movement.
“The students were astonished to discover the legal segregation that existed in the southern United States in the ‘50s and ‘60s, where people were separated solely because of the color of their skin,” explains Olympia. “Through readings and videos, we witnessed the bravery of individuals like Dr. King and Ruby Bridges, who stood up against injustice and fought for equality.”
Next comes the lessons of activism, and the importance of speaking out about injustice.
“We discussed changes we'd like to see in our own community, and we learned that advocating for change requires using our voices, just like the brave children we studied who wrote letters, marched, and sang songs for justice during the Civil Rights Movement,” Olympia adds.
The Big March
In past years, before the March for Kindness, students have had an opportunity to demonstrate a protest march during the weekly community-wide assembly, entering the gym to the song “Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round” by The Freedom Singers. Children then took turns sharing what they’ve been learning with fellow students and school parents, inviting them to join the march.
The march itself is a microcosm of the social movements the children studied in class. The school community — including parents — gather in front of Corlears School on West 15th Street and marched around the block on 8th Avenue. Students held protest signs they created in class, displaying messages like: “I love the whole school!” “Corlears for Kindness!” “Help everyone!” “Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud!”
“It was fun marching around the block with our grown-ups and friends. I liked shouting Corlears for Kindness,” said one Kindergarten student about the march. “I liked cheering for all the students at Corlears when they entered the school at the end of the march. We used our voices for change!”
Lessons to Shape Tomorrow
The March for Kindness isn't just a big deal on the school calendar each year; it's a reflection of what Corlears stands for and how its students apply their learning. It shows that even the little voices can make a difference and small actions can lead to change.
Through the experience, our Kindergarteners also gain confidence in sharing their learning with others and see themselves as community leaders.
“I will remember creating signs with my friends and holding them as I marched around the block,” a Kindergartener shared. “I liked that my grown-ups marched with me. I hope the community learns to always be kind and helpful.”
Their march isn't just about hope for the future; it's a reminder that change starts with everyday kindness. You can check out photos of our 2024 March for Kindness below!
