Potowmack Elementary enjoyed its first-ever Kindness Fair, a celebration designed to strengthen empathy, inclusion and respect. Hosted by the school’s counseling department, the event brought students from all grade levels together for hands-on activities that highlighted the power of kindness in everyday school life.
Held in the school’s gym, the Kindness Fair featured activity stations that encouraged students to express kindness in thoughtful, imaginative ways.
The Kindness Fair was made even more special thanks to the support of PEER students from Potomac Falls High School, who guided the students through each station. Their leadership helped provide the younger students with positive role models.
The students participated in the following stations:
Popsicle Friends: Students decorated popsicle-stick characters, each one a tiny reminder that friendship comes in all shapes and sizes.
Friendship Bracelets: Colorful beads and strings turned into wearable acts of kindness. The students could keep the bracelets or gift them to someone special.
Kindness Superhero Masks: With markers and uplifting messages, students transformed paper masks into expressions of their own superpowers.
Tissue Paper Flowers: Bright, handmade flowers were crafted with the intention of spreading kindness by giving them away to friends or family.
Dance Party: Students learned that kindness grows stronger the more you use it and they proved it on the dance floor.
Compliment Hearts: Paper hearts filled with encouraging messages will soon decorate classrooms or be shared with peers, adding a little extra positivity to someone’s day.
“You Belong at PMK” Hand Mural: Students and staff traced their hands on paper that matched their skin tone. These handprints will contribute to a hallway mural titled "Diversity Makes Us Stronger – We All Belong at PMK.”
Coping Circles: Students decorated circles printed with coping strategies, such as taking a break, talking with a friend, or listening to music, giving them tools to support their emotional well-being.
Through creativity, collaboration, and reflection, the activities encouraged students to practice kindness, appreciate diversity, and build relationships that strengthen the school community.
Potowmack Principal Cassie Colasuonno said, "Our students walked away with a tangible reminder that being kind means celebrating the things that make us unique, because our differences are exactly what make our school community so vibrant. Being kind is cool!"
The Kindness Fair was sponsored by the Mrs. Haake Memorial Fund. Kourtney Haake was a teacher at Potowmack Elementary for more than a decade. Through the memorial fund, Mr. Haake’s family gives back to the Potowmack students by supporting events such as this one.
The Kindness Fair helped Potowmack Elementary strengthen its commitment to ensuring that every student feels valued and included.