Congrats to the North Texas students who were nominated for showing exceptional kindness:
Sam W.
3rd grade, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD
Sam is a 3rd grader who is resourceful and is known for taking initiative. Sam wrote a thank you card to a fellow student for showing leadership and being a good example. One day, Sam noticed the custodians carrying out lunchroom trashcans. In order to make their jobs easier, Sam and his grandfather created a cart that would allow custodians to transport multiple trash cans at a time. Sam’s act of kindness was amazing and he continues to do what he can to help others.
Mariana R.
3rd grade, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD
Mariana has a very compassionate spirit and is always willing to help other students in her class. Every Friday, Mariana’s school has a spirit day competition for classrooms showing the most school spirit. Mariana’s classroom would always lose because one of her classmate’s was not able to wear a school spirit shirt because she did not own one. Mariana got permission from her mother to purchase a spirit shirt for her classmate. They wrapped it up and gave it to the student as a gift so she could match the class on spirit day. Mariana also asked a PTA mom if the organization would sponsor a school shirt for her classmate. Mariana went out of her way to solve a problem to help her classmate and classroom.
Pierce S.
5th grade, Richardson ISD
Pierce is a 10 year old who struggles with ADHD. He often finds himself in trouble but has a great heart. A younger boy named Ethan decided to befriend Pierce and accept him for who he is. Pierce high fives Ethan in the hall, they play computer games together, and also walk each other to class from time to time. When an older kid was teasing Ethan, he confided in Pierce. Pierce encourages and motivates Ethan to stay strong and keep his head held high. The bond these two students have created has allowed Pierce to be more confident and self-assured.
“I Do What I Can!” is an initiative for children in grades 1-6 who demonstrate outstanding help, support or encouragement to a younger child … inspired by the ever-helpful character Ramone from the PBS KIDS program Peg + Cat!
Ramone is a cheerful older boy who goes above and beyond to offer a helping hand to his younger friends, Peg & Cat, as well as other characters in the series. Ramone always seems to be there to help solve problems. His signature statement is “I do what I can!”
In that spirit, this initiative seeks to encourage children to do the same. Every child who is nominated will be recognized, and one child will receive an award for going above and beyond. We’re receiving nominations through December 31, 2018.
Do you know a child (or children) who deserve to be recognized for their kindness? Here’s how to nominate them for the “I Do What I Can” award:
» Download and fill out the parent nomination form
— OR —
» Download and fill out the non-parent nomination form (for use by teachers, grandparents, care providers, coaches and others)
— AND —
» Download and sign the parent/legal guardian release form, or have the child(ren)’s parent/legal guardian sign the form
Then send it to us!
Submit by email:
Scan the completed nomination form and the signed parent/legal guardian release form and email to KERA Community Relations Manager Denita Malvern at dmalvern@kera.org.
Submit by mail:
KERA
IDWIC
3000 Harry Hines Blvd
Dallas, TX 75201
Attn: Community Engagement Dept.
Below are examples of three award-winning entries from other PBS member stations in the past, to help with your own nomination process.
Child’s name: Renee S.
Renee is a 10 year old in my class. This year we had a new student, J, who moved into the neighborhood. He is very shy and quiet. I did my best to include him in activities and introduce him to the other children. By mid-September, Renee seemed to have adopted him as her new friend. She began filling him in on classroom routines, rules and invited him to have lunch with her and her other friends. It wasn’t long before J began to look to Renee for help. Here’s a specific example: On the day when we had our first fire drill, as usual, the buzzer went off. Everyone was startled. As we all started preparing to leave the room, I saw J look for Renee and they quickly joined the others to file out of the room.
Child’s name: M
M is 9 years old and from the North Side of the city. I saw something amazing and exceptional in M as one of my 3rd graders. He loved math and he loved to talk, so I knew he would love to talk about math in our Math IQ program! During our interventions, he was a leader and loved to walk around the room escorting preschoolers from one station to the other while guiding them in each activity. Whether it was showing them how to play the shapes game on iPads, teaching them how to use scissors, or encouraging them to watch the video clips, he was able to win the preschoolers over and keep them engaged with his leadership ability. I specifically remember one of our interventions when M was helping one of our preschoolers, he was happy to teach them how to count and proudly said, “I’m going to teach you like my mom taught me.” Preschoolers were quite taken by M as he helped to build their confidence with such a caring and attentive attitude. I recently spoke with M and he was hopeful for the future of our preschooler’s. He stated “I hope the kids remember what I taught them, like how to count and look for shapes every day!”
Child’s name: T
T is 11 years old. Her family moved to The United States from Africa when T was a baby. Education is very important to T and her family. T began attending Arsenal Elementary School as part of the Pre-K program. She is a dual language learner. She was chosen by her 3rd grade teacher to participate in the WQED Math iQ program. T is a smart, kind, thoughtful, and shy girl. The Math iQ program gave T some clear cut strategies of how to speak to other students through the mentor aspect of the program. T became comfortable mentoring these younger students. We were amazed at how quickly T opened up to the Pre-k students. When asked to take the role of a leader with pre-k students, she became a very effective educator.
Our proudest moment with T was at our “Big Gig” celebration. This was our end of the year performance and party to showcase our work to the parents and community. Our once shy T danced, sang, and was able to stand up in front of a room full of adults and loudly proclaim what she enjoyed about Math iQ. Working with these students gave T just the confidence she needed to break out of her shell. T showed an incredible amount of growth throughout her year in the program and in the classroom. She is now a confident mathematician who faced the PSSA without fear.
» What are the I Do What I Can awards? “I Do What I Can!” is an initiative between Fred Rogers Productions and PBS member stations like KERA for children in grades 1- 6 who demonstrate outstanding help, support, and/or encouragement to a younger child. Entries will be made by an adult (parent, grandparent, care provider, teacher, coach, etc.) and be reviewed by a community advisory group. All nominated children will be recognized. A few children whose efforts may be especially inspiring to other children may be featured online or on air. The award is inspired by the character Ramone from the award winning PBS KIDS program, Peg + Cat. Ramone is an upbeat older boy who goes ‘above and beyond’ to offer a helping hand to his younger friends, Peg & Cat, as well as other characters in the show. Ramone always seems to be there to help solve problems. His cool signature statement is “I Do What I Can!”
» What is the award initiative time frame? We will accept nominations from October 7 to December 31, 2018. We’ll recognize the young people during the first week in December.
» Who can nominate a child? Each nomination, made by an adult — a parent, grandparent, care provider, teacher, coach, etc. — will include at least one description of what the child has done to be helpful to a younger child. The nominee’s parental release must accompany the nomination submission.
» Who is eligible? Any boy or girl who is in grades 1-6 who often demonstrates outstanding help, support, and/or encouragement to a younger child. This initiative seeks to recognize children who extend themselves to help others by doing what they can.
» Can I nominate more than one child? Yes. Use one nomination form per child.
» If I am not the child’s parent, do I need to notify the child(ren)’s parent? Yes. There must be a signed parent/guardian release form accompanying the nomination form.
» How will children be selected and honored? Nominations will be reviewed by a community advisory committee. All nominated children will be recognized. A few children whose efforts may be especially inspiring to other children may be featured online, on air, in social media and/or at their school or at a special community event.
» Are there monetary awards or prizes? No. This is a recognition initiative rather than a contest.
To continue the “I Do What I Can” emphasis at home, help your child participate in this calendar of activities, which highlights kindness, anti-bullying and standing up for others. Download or view a PDF of this month’s calendar here. Some activities have accompanying resources — click to expand the toggled section below to view them.
» The resources below pair with each activity on the calendar. Download a PDF of the calendar here.
December 1: Christmas Thumbprint Lights
December 2: PBS Christmas Ornaments
December 3: Disability Day
December 4: National Cookie Day
December 5: Ninja Ornament
December 6: Dallas Public Library, Splendiferous Christmas
December 7: Christmas Science
December 8: Brownie Day with Christmas Math
December 9: Pastry Day, Puff pastry with Nutella
December 10: Top 10 Christmas Movie List
December 11: Make your own wreath
December 12: Ginger Bread House
December 13: Dallas Public Library, The Miracle of the Poinsettia
December 14: Christmas Science
December 15: Grinch Theme Day
• Activity 1
• Activity 1
• Activity 3
December 16: Chocolate covered anything day
December 17: Maple Syrup day, Christmas pancakes
December 18: Eco Friendly Holiday Lanterns
December 19: Button Snowflake
December 20: Dallas Public Library, Paddington Christmas Surprise
December 21: Christmas Science
December 22: Selfie Card
December 23: Marshmallow snowman treats
December 24: Christmas Cookies
December 25: Christmas Noodle Card
December 26: Candy Cane Day, Candy Cane Reindeer
December 27: Dallas Public Library, Peace On Ear: A Christmas Collection
December 28: Christmas Science
December 29: Christmas Cookies
December 30: Bacon Day, Christmas Breakfast Casserole
December 31: New Year’s Eve Activities
» See November calendar resources below the calendar. Download a PDF of the calendar here.
November 1: Family Traditions
November 2: Dia de los Muertos
November 3: Book lovers and sandwich day
November 4: Daniel Tiger card
November 5: Thanksgiving turkey centerpiece
November 6: DIY Turkey wings project
November 8: Cooking with pumpkin spice
November 9: Thanksgiving table mats
November 10: Apple turkey edible craft
November 12: Thankful tree
November 14: Cooking craft: make lumpia
November 15: Turkey craft project
November 16: Native American exploration
November 17: Turkey bread
November 19: Sesame Street cards
November 21: Yi Peng Lantern Festival
November 23: Holiday Leftover ideas
November 24: Books on Gratitude
November 26: DIY Gobbler glove
November 28: Foreign language thank you cards
November 29: Fall Color Wheel
November 30: Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
» See October calendar resources below the calendar. Download a PDF of the calendar here.
» Sunday, October 7
• Help encourage kind acts through the Kind Acts Bingo Game and see how many you can mark off before the end of the month.
• Boost kindness responsibility by having your little one take the Kindness Pledge.
» Thursday, October 11: Visit the Dallas Public Library to read books on bullying.
» Saturday, October 13: Attend KERA’s Be My Neighbor Day at Dallas Heritage Village from 10 am to 1pm!
» Sunday, October 14: Make a Ramone puppet.
» Wednesday, October 17: Watch Stand Up to Bullying, a comprehensive video on how you can stand up to bullying.
» Thursday, October 18: Visit the Dallas Public Library to read books on how to be kind to others.
» Friday, October 19: It’s National New Friends Day! Help your little one understand the importance of making new friends with this new-friend guide.
» Saturday, October 20: Help make breakfast! Treat your family by helping make a delicious French toast breakfast.
» Sunday, October 21:
• Download and print a Cat mask
• Download and print a Ramone mask
• Download and print a Peg mask
» Monday, October 22: Show kindness by making a DIY gift for your teacher!
» Thursday, October 25: Sprinkle Kindness activity — Read The Jelly Donut Difference and have children write about how they “sprinkle” kindness towards others.
» Saturday, October 27: Help make lunch for your family or friends with this tasty fall sandwich recipe.
» Sunday, October 28: Download and print a Peg + Cat coloring sheet.
» Tuesday, October 30: Crumpled Paper lesson — Try this activity to understand the effects of bullying towards others.
On bullying — juvenile literature:
On kindness: