CARLSBAD UNIFIED CONNECTIONS

It’s the Kindest Week of the Year!

An astonishing 22,108,050 students from 45,176 schools across 135 countries are celebrating the Great Kindness Challenge this year — and Carlsbad Unified proudly stands as the founding school district of this global movement.

The week kicked off in inspiring fashion at the beautiful Viasat campus, where hundreds of students, community members, Carlsbad City Council members, Carlsbad Unified Board members, and Viasat employees gathered to open their hearts to kindness.

Carlsbad Unified Superintendent Dr. Andrea Norman warmly welcomed guests, setting the tone for the celebration. Steve Hart, Viasat co-founder and longtime Great Kindness Challenge supporter, shared a powerful message with the enthusiastic crowd:

“Viasat has satellites circling the globe, but it is kindness that makes the world go ‘round.”

Students led the audience in practicing simple but meaningful Kind Acts, including: “Sharing a smile with 25 people,” “Telling a joke and making someone laugh,” and “Sincerely complimenting 5 people.”

Music filled the air as students performed the Kindness theme song, “Reach Out a Kindhearted Hand,” written by community members Sheryl and Peter Seltser, who were present to join the celebration. Calavera Hills Elementary music teacher Lauren Segovia and her class also delighted the crowd with a special performance.

The program concluded with a festive video produced and anchored by CHSTV students and Kids for Peace interns Alessia Mattucci and Brooke Pedersen.

Following the event, hundreds of joyful attendees carrying student-made signs paraded down El Camino Real to the Carlsbad Unified District Office. There a colorful, student-created “Kindness Matters” sign was revealed — a vibrant symbol that set the tone for the week.

Kindness Across Carlsbad Unified

Throughout the week, campuses across the district were festooned with joyful messages and student artwork as students, staff, and families took part in assemblies and activities. Students used their “50 Kind Acts” checklist to challenge themselves to spread as much kindness as possible.

At Calavera Hills Middle School, an energetic flash mob dancing to “We’re All in This Together” brought cheers in the Coyote Cavern during a Kindness Assembly filled with student-led games and skits.

Many schools hosted a daily calendar of kindness activities and spirit days. Here is Kelly Elementary School’s plan:

Monday
Activity: Chalk kind messages and pictures around campus
Spirit Day: Dream of Kindness — Pajamas or comfy clothes

Tuesday
Activity: Sit and play with a new student at lunch
Spirit Day: Team Up for Kindness — Sports gear

Wednesday
Activity: Take a photo at the affirmation station
Spirit Day: Let Your Kindness Shine — Neon or sparkles

Thursday
Activity: Play games with the Carlsbad Champions
Spirit Day: Hats Off to Kindness — Favorite hat

Friday
Activity: Make a card or letter for a Kelly staff member
Spirit Day: Kelly Kindness — Kelly gear or colors

Jefferson Elementary Shows Its KIND

Jefferson Elementary launched the week with a Great Kindness Challenge assembly, organized by Kids for Peace members, energizing the community to “Show Their KIND.”

During lunch each day there were activities for students. They created thank-you posters for PTA and cafeteria staff, made kind bookmarks for the library, and designed kindness cards to share with their families.

Career Education Specialist Nicole Moersch also produced an entertaining video highlighting Jefferson’s kindness in action.

The Great Kindness Challenge is the centerpiece annual event of Carlsbad-based Kids For Peace: “Thank you for helping uplift our world through love and action. All children deserve to learn in a safe, supportive, and caring environment. The Great Kindness Challenge provides powerful tools that engage students, educators, families, and communities in building cultures of compassion, acceptance, unity, and respect. Kindness matters more than ever, and we are grateful for the many ways our Carlsbad Unified community shows up for students, schools, and one another every day.”

The 2026 Great Kindness Challenge was unforgettable!