By By Clarence Fanto,The Berkshire Eagle

Copyright berkshireeagle

LENOX — Now, more than ever, Superintendent William Collins says it’s important for students to learn in a safe space where they can “respectfully disagree.”

Collins’ call for civil dialogue feels especially urgent in the wake of last week’s political assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, an event that has rattled schools and communities nationwide.

Against that backdrop, a new student-led initiative called the Kindness Crew at Lenox Memorial Middle and High School aims to foster empathy and everyday kindness — values Collins says are essential to a campus culture where differing viewpoints can be expressed without fear.

“When we say [Lenox] schools are a brave and safe space, the brave part means that we’re willing to take on and recognize that we have differing viewpoints on a number of issues, but it needs to be a safe place,” Collins said. “We need to be able to do things respectfully, and that’s the culture we’re trying to develop, where you can respectfully disagree.”

The idea is to display kind and considerate acts to promote the type of environment of “unconditional positive regard,” he explained, adding, “Just by being a fellow human being, we’re going to treat you with respect.”

The Kindness Crew dates back to discussions during the previous school year between students and counselors about how unkind behavior — often dismissed as “just joking” — was affecting classmates.

School Counselors Tara Romeo and Pam Murray, along with Adjustment Counselor Amy Higgins, worked with seniors to design an initiative for this school year, called “Kindness Makes a Comeback at LMMHS.”

“This began with students sharing what they were seeing and experiencing,” Romeo wrote in a school district announcement. “They wanted to take the lead in creating a culture where kindness is the norm, not the exception.”

Kindness Crew founding seniors Claire O’Brien and Owen Ames created the vision, and they’re now joined by more than 20 members of the 2026 graduating class. While that’s about one-third of the seniors, the organizers hope more students will sign on, working with more than a dozen teachers who are volunteering to support the effort.

“Even the smallest action can make a difference in someone’s day,” O’Brien said. “We want to create a space where people feel supported and included.”

“This is about building a culture that lasts beyond this year,” Ames emphasized. “If we can change the way we treat each other now, it can carry into the middle school and into the years ahead.”

The program was launched on Aug. 28, the first day of school, with “21 Days of Kindness,” based on simple daily gestures such as holding a door to more significant actions such as sitting with someone new at lunch. Other plans for the year include creating a student-led group that makes sure no one feels left out at events; student-to-student mentoring; and encouraging students to support those struggling with stress or mental health challenges.

Members of the Kindness Crew will wear matching blue sweatshirts and distribute wristbands and bookmarks as visual reminders of the project’s message.

Collins said those small but visible gestures set the tone beyond the high school as well, a spirit echoed at Morris Elementary School’s recent Back to School open house, calling it “an incredibly positive event” that was welcome given last week’s national news and the current political climate.

“I’m sure every horrific event can’t help but cause worry and anxiety,” he said. “I think people have confidence that we’re doing everything we can to make not only a physically safe space, but a mentally safe space as well.”

A positive climate will prevail and “it’s what will get you through,” he added.

“Absent climate, strategic goals are just a piece of paper,” Collins said. “If students, staff and school community family members know they can have trust and confidence that the school is going to do everything it can to keep you safe and respected, then you’ll be able to flourish in our environment.”