A charitable & foundational partnerships to ensure that portions of proceeds and/or profits are channeled to organizations dedicated to building better lives for underprivileged kids.
Today we had the privilege of bringing our Hero Assembly to the students at Laning Elementary School, in Verona, New Jersey. From the moment we arrived, we could tell that Laning Elementary was filled with heroes. We were greeted with great big smiles and lots of cheers. It was a wonderful day!
The students, teachers, and staff members all participated in our program. They encouraged one another during our role plays, and supported one another throughout our energetic show.
We were incredibly impressed with the answers students offered to the question, “How is it cool to be kind?” As Kevin, a first grader, stated, “You are kind when you stop and ask yourself how you can help!” Thank you Kevin! You clearly are a hero!
Teachers, students, and staff, complimented our assembly, stating that it was “relevant,” “enthusiastic,” and “hit home” with their students. They shared that our videos were relatable and engaging. One noted that all students were receptive to our strategies and were already using BETTER THAN THAT(tm) as we were leaving.
For more information on our Hero Assembly, to book a program at your school, or to donate an assembly to an underprivileged school, please email leighann@wearthecapekids.com
Around the beginning of the school year, I had asked my son what his goal was for the year ahead. I was heartbroken by his answer. I had expected to hear that he wanted to get good grades, but what I heard was a knife to my chest.
“This year my goal is to be the coolest kid in the third grade.”
Yes, you read that right. My son’s goal was to be accepted by the “cool” kids, a.k.a. the popular crowd. My son had been friends with the “cool kids” in Kindergarten and first grade. He had no trouble making or keeping friends. Then, one day, half-way through second grade, one of the group’s leaders decided that Timmy was not “cool.” He was then bullied for the rest of the school year.
From that day forward Timmy was excluded. He was no longer invited to play dates, was left out at recess, and wasn’t invited to birthday parties. My heart ached for my young son, as I watched him struggle with this every day
I tried to console Timmy. I planned play dates with other children and encouraged other friendships. I spoke to his teachers and guidance counselor, who tried to help. However, Timmy still struggled. He missed his friends. Daily, he watched them play at recess, from the sidelines. He could not comprehend what he had done to be shunned by his classmates and blamed himself.
Of course, I blamed myself. I wasn’t a “cool” mom. I didn’t have “cool” play dates or parties. I didn’t hang with the “cool” moms or carpool the “cool” kids. Suddenly I felt as ostracized as my child.
Out of options and patience, I turned to the Internet for comfort and help. It was then that I learned of Wear the Cape. As I perused the organization’s website, a warm feeling of compassion and hope swept over me.
After months of watching my son struggle, the answer was right there within one of Wear the Cape’s taglines: IT’S COOL TO BE KIND. Immediately I knew I needed to redefine “cool” to my child….and his friends.
“Wear The Cape,” be “Better Than That,” and “It’s Cool to be Kind” became everyday phrases in our home. From the inspiration of Wear the Cape, my children and I had a new goal – to spread kindness. We practiced random acts of kindness every day. This cost us little, but in doing this we gained so much! We saw how our deeds impacted others in a positive way.
We were uplifted by the reaction others had to our kindness. Every smile, every thank you, and every, “that made my day” made our days brighter. My son was no longer plagued by his situation. Rather, he made other friends and soon his old friends and new friends were all playing well together. There was no longer an “us” or “them;” it was simply kids having fun at recess.
Three years have passed since my son’s ordeal. Timmy, who now prefers to be called Tim, is in middle school and has many friends. When I asked him if he wanted to be the “coolest” kid in middle school, his reply was heartwarming. With a knowing smile, he replied:
“Well, it’s cool to be kind. So…yeah. I want to be cool!”
The girl who found the courage to do what was right; the girl who found the courage to be BETTER THAN THAT™
On New Year’s Eve, 11-year-old Valentina Clemente made a special resolution. She decided that she was going to spend this year spreading kindness and helping others by showing her peers that it’s cool to be kind. Valentina reached out to Wear the Cape with a creative idea to help spread kindness in her school. We can’t wait to share it with you, along with a few fun facts about her; we’re sure you’ll understand why Valentina is our Cape Kid of the Month for January 2018! So here goes:
As an avid soccer fan, Valentina plays on two travel soccer teams. She has helped win two championships with her quick feet and constant encouragement. What’s more, she is a member of her school’s student council, is active in her school chorus, and participates in her school plays, in various roles.
Baking is one of Valentina’s passions. She loves to bake for her family and hopes to one day be on Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship. “Whenever there is a family birthday, we can count on Valentina to make a delicious cake,” shared her grandmother.
Valentina has an incredibly kind heart, and often helps others – whether at home with her younger siblings Lily and Antonio, or at school, where she is known to be one of the first to offer assistance to her teachers and friends.
Michelle, Valentina’s mom, noted: “Valentina is a great friend. She makes it a point to include those who are being left out. She is always kind and compassionate to others, especially when they need it the most.” In fact, one of her newest friendships formed from helping a classmate who was cyber-bullied. Without hesitation, and with loving support from her parents, Valentina immediately came to her aide. She befriended the girl who was being teased, found the courage to ask those being unkind to stop and challenged them to change their actions.
When asked if it was difficult for her to stand up to those being mean and politely remind them to be BETTER THAN THAT™, she replied, “It’s never easy to stand up and correct a friend’s behavior, but I believe that it’s more important to do the right and kind thing, rather than hurt someone, or join in when someone is being teased.” She said she lives by the mantra: Strong people stand up for themselves, the strongest stand up for others.”(Source unknown)
We were completely honored when Valentina reached out to us asking us to help her write a proposal to create a Kindness Club at her school. Her goal: get kids together and teach them that it’s cool to be kind and encourage them to BE BETTER THAN THAT™ by being good friends to others and standing up for what is right. We are delighted to help!
Valentina has some words of wisdom for being a good friend:
Be Yourself:If you act like yourself, people will accept you for who you are. You don’t have to pretend to be someone you’re not in order to “fit in” or ”be cool.” Being in middle school, I find people often comment on the way others look. Many times these comments are negative. Please remember that everyone is different and special in his/her own unique way. Rather than comment negatively on how someone looks, try finding a way to compliment that person. Hint: you can always start with, “I like your smile!”
Stand up for the person being mistreated, don’t just watch it happen: My mother always tells me that watching someone being bullied and not saying anything is almost as bad as being the bully. Always stand up for what is right! It may not be easy. It takes a lot of courage, but it’s the right thing to do!
We are so impressed with your kindness and courage, Valentina. You are an excellent example of being BETTER THAN THAT™ and a true role model for others. Thank you for encouraging others to WEAR THE CAPE at home and in school! Keep up the great work.
Today we had the privilege of bringing our Hero Assembly to the students at Laning Elementary School, in Verona, New Jersey. From the moment we arrived, we could tell that Laning Elementary was filled with heroes. We were greeted with great big smiles and lots of cheers. It was a wonderful day!
