On Oct. 9, the students at East Bethel Elementary School (EBES) were visited by Bryan Skavnak, the founder of Be the Nice Kid, for an all day dose of positivity, laughter and kindness.
Through personal examples and stories, Bryan connected with the kids and shared the many ways they can be the nice kid and how it can make an impact on others. The students interacted with him in a school assembly, grade level visits, at lunch and during recess.
Melissa Kivi, EBES principal, said: “On the same afternoon that Bryan visited, as I was checking in with a student, I asked her to share her favorite part of the day. Without hesitation, she responded, ‘Bryan.’ When I asked her why, she told me, ‘because he reminded us how important and easy it is to be kind by being the nice kid.’
In the days following Bryan's visit, I have asked students to share with me ways they have been the nice kid at school and at home. Some of the many responses I've received include holding doors for others, greeting others by name, complimenting and encouraging others, and checking in on peers when they seem to be feeling down.
Being kind is one of our four PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support) school-wide expectations at EBES, so Bryan's visit was the perfect way to reinforce this.”
View photos from Bryan’s visit to EBES.
Bryan speaks to schools nationwide and shared with the students both successes and failures in his life to help the students to understand:
Win or lose, what you say, what you do and how you act matter.
Take advantage of the moments where you can make people happy.
Mistakes help you learn.
It’s easy to say ‘thank you’ to people everyday.
We are all different in some ways, but we can always choose to be nice.
And more.