Ученики начальной школы в Висконсине прошли курс по воспитанию доброты и доверия

Kindness retreat teaches elementary students trust-building, conversation LA CROSSE, Wis. (WEAU) - 4th and 5th grade students from Hintgen Elementary School spent their Friday collaborating with La Crosse Central High School students for a day-long “kindness retreat.” School leaders say starting the year this way creates a strong foundation for the months ahead. “For us, it’s super powerful to kick off our school year with this message for all of our 4th and 5th graders so they can be those student leaders who spread kindness throughout our entire building all year long,” said Amy Oliver, the Hintgen Elementary Principal. The retreat is run by Youth Frontiers, a nonprofit that has delivered character-building retreats since 1987. Through a series of trust-building games and activities, the program pushes students out of their comfort zones to learn empathy, inclusion and conflict resolution. “We do everything from small groups, where they will be chatting hanging out with students and classmates that they may not normally talk to on a daily basis. We’ve got tons of different games and ways to get their energy moving. They’re up, moving, playing games, singing songs,” said Elliot Cavanaugh, the Youth Frontiers Program Facilitator. Organizers say focusing on kindness is critical for this age group, acting as an umbrella for tougher concepts like preventing bullying. “We touch on some other topics, such as empathy and some other bullying stuff. However, kindness is just a great all-encompassing, almost umbrella term that we can use to rope some of these ideas,” said Cavanaugh. Hintgen staff plan to ensure these lessons don’t stop when the retreat ends. “We’re going to reinforce through announcements and opportunities for our 4th and 5th graders as leaders to keep this message going, spread that kindness, and be an everyday hero no matter who you are,” said Oliver. This is the fourth year that Hintgen Elementary has brough students to this retreat. Copyright 2026 WEAU. All rights reserved.