Bnos Menachem Encourages High School Girls to “Be Nice”

Bnos Menachem High School recently launched an interactive kindness program, called “Be Nice,” encouraging students to be caring and thoughtful of others.

The program was launched L’ilui Nishmas Shmuel Ben Osher Karnowsky obm, Bnos Menachem Principal Mrs. Rivka Karnowsky’s son who passed away last summer, 28 Sivan, at the young age of 15.

Shmuel was known for his beautiful middos tovos, confidence, patience, and his kindness to all, especially to his classmates. He was often heard saying, “Be nice,” and would lend a listening ear to all.

Spreading acts of kindness and encouraging students to think of others are just a few of the goals of this program.

The program, led by a truly dedicated teacher Ms. Shterna Spalter, and the amazing, hard-working twelfth-grade heads Sara Fogelman and Sheina Chayo, has a lot more in store, organizers said. Throughout the year they will work on promoting kindness in many interactive and engaging ways. “We hope to enhance every girls’ high school experience through this kindness program,” they said.

The program logo has the words “I Matter, You Matter, We Matter.”

“The ‘I Matter’ stands for each student to love and be kind to herself; she is important and loved by Hashem,” explains Mrs. Karnowsky, the limudei chol principal. “The ‘You Matter,’ refers to each student individually; to increase each student’s emotional awareness of the girl sitting next to her. When each girl realizes that she matters and loves herself, it will be easier for her to be nicer to others and vice-versa. Each act of kindness will build both the recipient and the giver. ‘We Matter,’ as a school, to develop an atmosphere of kindness and respect… to infuse ahavas yisroel, school pride and kind middos throughout,” she explains.

For the introduction of the program, the school gathered outdoors and formed into a big heart, and a picture was taken from above. Custom Headbands were given out with the words “Be Nice” matching the program’s logo. The girls also received individually wrapped custom cupcakes.

Mrs. Karnowsky spoke at the program as well.

“Let’s emulate this middah in our school,” she said.

A “Be Nice” bulletin board was put up containing different acts of kindness printed on cards to be passed throughout the school. Incentives will also be given, “as kindness is a trait that can be strengthened through consistency,” organizers noted.