Sachem ROCKS – Reach Out Choose Kindness Sachem. A simple acronym with a meaningful message is blanketed across the new kindness rock garden in front of Sachem High School North thanks to a program to promote kindness in a unique way.

An initiative that began in Andrea Biblow, Carrie Dansky, Jamie Durkin, Cheryl Haugie and Lauren Puleo’s communication skills classroom as a hands-on activity for speech and language students has transformed into a project with much more meaning. Painting by the dozens, these students are working to transform ordinary rocks into colorful pieces of art inscribed with uplifting messages of kindness. Once completed, the rocks are then placed outside, creating a vibrant kindness garden in front of the school. 

During this ongoing project, students have received special help from members of the Suffolk County Police Department, fellow students and parents, as all were invited to participate and create their own colorful kindness rocks. Extending the garden further, transition program students who work throughout the Sachem community practicing life skills in a real-world setting have been placing decorated rocks at their destinations, spreading kindness wherever they go. 

All who have participated are encouraged to include the hashtag “Sachem ROCKS” on their designs in order to help spread the kindness project beyond the borders of the school community. 

Throughout the month of November, opportunities for students to create their own rocks will be offered within the building to continue to promote the power of kindness.