Paws for a Cause is a new district-wide initiative designed to promote kindness, empathy, and community service among students of all grade levels. The program aligned with Kindness Week last week and will also have different elements spread throughout the month of February.

At Memorial High School, students demonstrated service in action. FFA members volunteered at the FiberMax Center Discovery Family Night, serving dinner to guests and helping children build hydraulic boxes while teaching them how hydraulics work. MHS students also created heartfelt Valentine’s cards for residents at Raider Ranch, a neighboring assisted living home, spreading joy and strengthening community connections. On campus, the MHS Hope Squad welcomed students to campus on Friday, February 13, with candy and encouraging words, reminding each student they are valued and loved.

MHS Lead Counselor, Nicki Morrison, shared that involvement in Paws for a Cause helps students think beyond themselves.

“It’s important for students to think of others because it helps them develop empathy, understand different perspectives, and build stronger connections within their community,” she explained. "Students especially enjoyed creating Valentine’s cards and serving local families, and the impact was overwhelmingly positive."

At Frenship Middle School, students and staff participated in daily challenges designed to strengthen connection, such as “Walk It Wednesday,” which encouraged students to walk to class with someone new. The FMS Hope Squad visited Bennett Elementary to greet students and hand out kindness stickers, and at FMS they distributed motivational cards and Life Savers candy during lunch. 

FMS Counselor, Katie Alderson, emphasized that the goal of Paws for a Cause is to intentionally build a culture of kindness and service across the district.

"Getting involved helps students see that even small acts of kindness matter," Alderson said. "It encourages empathy, strengthens a positive school culture, and creates a sense of belonging. When campuses participate together, it reinforces that even though we are a growing district we still care for one another."

Ridgewood Elementary School hosted daily kindness challenges, themed dress-up days connected to positive messages, and incorporated its Miracle Pennies campaign to unite the school community around giving.

Ridgewood Counselor, Qualimetra Chapman, shared that students took the challenges to heart, demonstrating kindness through small gestures like holding doors and writing notes, as well as larger acts such as helping peers and delivering thank-you cards to custodians.

"Whether it’s receiving a kind note, offering encouragement, or helping someone who needs it, it’s hard to be done without giving or receiving a smile," Chapman said, referencing the Frenship SERVE model. "Volunteering is such a natural extension of kindness, as well. Serving our community, giving time and energy without expecting anything back is what builds strong, connected communities. When students experience that feeling, it sticks with them."

Across all grade levels, Paws for a Cause is more than a just a couple of weeks of activities, it is an intentional effort to ensure that as Frenship continues to grow, its culture of care grows with it. By modeling kindness, creating opportunities to serve, and celebrating positive actions, students are not just learning about the Frenship Way, they are actively living it each day.