Written by Ms. Emilie Ocampo, JHS Counselor
Compassion is one of the core values of St. John Baptist de La Salle. To further strengthen the school’s thrust in deepening value formation, an action research on kindness was initiated by Ms. Emilie Javier-Ocampo of the DLSZ’s School Counseling Office which brought about a program entitled, “Let’s do the WAK!” (Wonderful Acts of Kindness).
Last September 25, 2019, the entire Junior High School (JHS) faculty and students wore yellow shirts in support of the program and witnessed its launch at the school’s Sports Pavilion. Yellow because it the color of sunshine, represents hope, positivity, and optimism which are all offshoots of kindness.
Several WAK Activities were conducted by the JHS counselors, Mr. Jack Lord dela Cruz, Ms. Wilma Blas, Ms. Lyca Diesta, and Ms. Ems in collaboration with the JHS Faculty, JHS parents, the Administrative Services Department, and the CSAFs to promote the value of kindness. Activities included the Kindness lessons that were integrated in the September 11 Lasallian Core Value classes, the poetry writing on “Kabutihan” which was spearheaded by the Filipino teachers, Mrs. Steward Amon and Ms. Geneva Ballao, the Kindness Definition contests for all JHS students, the Kindness Quote contest for the faculty, the guidance classes, “The Power of Kindness” talk of Fr. Christopher Salonga, the WAK Exhibit at the Courtyard, the Kindness Pledge, the Kindness song which was rendered by Ms. Ninabelle Gavan, and the Kindness Projects of the JHS parents for the agency-hired DLSZ personnel. The DLSZ Dance Crew also guested and led the crowd into dancing to the song, “We’re All in This Together”.
Prior to the launch, the Grade 10 Faculty and students also initiated a WAK activity. Students cleaned classrooms for a day and janitors were treated with snacks by the teachers.
Surprisingly after the WAK launch, a Grade 10 teacher prompted the students to stack up the chairs at the Sports Pavilion and the Grade 9 students followed suit. Kindness immediately took effect right after the WAK launch.
Let us help spread positivity around us and become instruments of change!
Let’s do the WAK!