The Be Kind People Project
Writing Contest
Concept:
Kindness and thoughtfulness for others are values that are often prevalent in our schools and our
students, but can sometimes be overlooked. Today’s teachers have a unique opportunity to ignite the
power of kindness in our classrooms simply by acknowledging it and reinforcing actions and thinking
that lead to a high respect level for kindness in our society.
As an integral part of the Be Kind People Project™, students (grades 1-12) in the greater Phoenix and
Kansas City metro areas will be invited to participate in the “Be Kind People Project” writing contest.
Students will be asked to write a grade-appropriate essay on the following topic:
“How a Minute of Kindness Can Change a Day”
Students are encouraged to consider observations and experiences of kindness in all parts of their lives
including:
 Kindness in the Classroom
 Kindness in the Community
 Kindness in the Home
 Kindness with Friends
 Kindness in the World, etc.
Of special interest will be how kindness can affect students - whether as an anti-bullying technique, as
an opening for effective communication, a bridge to culture differences, or other issues facing today’s
youth.
Essays will be judged by a panel of education professionals, and one winner from each grade level per
city (Phoenix, Kansas City) will be selected. The student will receive a prize and recognition from The Be
Kind People Project, as will the teacher, classmates and principal of the winning student. Public
recognition and publishing of the winning essays will include acknowledgement on the BKPP website
and be made available to other social media outlets and in local and national press releases.
Contest Details:
Essay Format:
For grades 1-2, the work must consist of a picture or picture series accompanied by 1-5 sentences
relating to the contest topic.
©2011 THE BE KIND PEOPLE PROJECT
www.TheBeKindPeopleProject.org
The Be Kind People Project
Writing Contest
For grades 3-12, the essay must be no more than 2 pages, typed using double-space or printed legibly.
Students may select from any topic surrounding the writing contest essay theme and write about any
fictitious or real story.
Essays will be judged on the following criteria:
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Essay is focused and relevant to the indicated topic, and uses interesting details to support the
topic.
Essay is easy to follow and ideas flow throughout essay.
Essay demonstrates a sense of connection with the topic, and personal/emotional connection is
evident.
Essay conveys vivid imagery through appropriate word choice.
Appropriate sentence structure and grammar are used to support ideas.
Rollout, Submission & Notification Process:
Timing: The contest will begin November 7, 2011. All entries are due postmarked no later than
December 21, 2011. Judging will occur in January 2012. Winners will be notified the week of February
6, 2012.
Rollout: The Be Kind People Project will provide information to certain schools in Phoenix and Kansas
City during the week of November 7, 2011. This distribution coincides with World Kindness Week. The
information will also be available for download at www.TheBeKindPeopleProject.org beginning
November 7, 2011.
Submission: Teachers will be responsible for gathering essays from interested students and approving
them as entries for The Be Kind People Project writing contest. Prior to submission, each teacher must
download the Release Form and ensure necessary approvals are provided with required signatures for
each entry. Teachers are asked to group essays and Release Forms and mail to the following address
with postmark dated no later than December 21, 2011. No essays will be judged without the completed
Release Form.
Writing Contest
The Be Kind People Project
10869 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 103/254
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
©2011 THE BE KIND PEOPLE PROJECT
www.TheBeKindPeopleProject.org
The Be Kind People Project
Writing Contest
All Release Forms and Set of Rules for submitting essays will be provided at
www.TheBeKindPeopleProject.org.
Notification: The Be Kind People Project will notify the principal and teacher submitting the entry of the
winning student during the week of February 6, 2012. The notification timing immediately precedes
Random Acts of Kindness Week. A letter will be sent to the student in care of the teacher, and The Be
Kind People Project representative will call/email the teacher to discuss details, such as use of student
and teacher photos and award distribution during Random Acts of Kindness Week (February 12 – 18,
2012).
Judging:
A panel of judges will be selected from Teach For America corps members and former teachers, as well
as representatives from The Be Kind People Project.
The 6+1 Trait Writer’s Rubric will be used as the foundation for writing assessment and judging.
http://educationnorthwest.org/resource/464 A weighted scoring system will be used to score entries.
All entries submitted by the postmarked due date with Release Form will be evaluated.
Prizes:
Students: 1 grand prize winner per grade level (grades 1 – 12). Twelve students total per city
(Phoenix and Kansas City metro areas).
The grand prize for each student will be:

A $100 US savings bond
 Essay published on The Be Kind People Project website
 Essay published in “Great Minutes of Kindness” book in 2012
©2011 THE BE KIND PEOPLE PROJECT
www.TheBeKindPeopleProject.org
The Be Kind People Project
Writing Contest
 Tickets for 4 people to an Arizona Diamondbacks game in Phoenix or a Kansas City
Royals game in Kansas City
 Feature in press release as one of the “Kindest Kids in Arizona” or “Kindest Kids in
Kansas City
 Kindness Star™ certificate
Second and third place winners per grade level (grades 1-12) will also be
recognized.
Teachers:
The teacher submitting the essay of each grand prize winning student will win:
 A special surprise
 Invitation to recognition celebration dinner at The Capital Grille
 Feature in media releases
 Tickets for 2 people to an Arizona Diamondbacks game in Phoenix or a Kansas City
Royals game in Kansas City
Classrooms:
The homeroom class (or the class from the submitting teacher) of each grand prize
winning student will win:
 A pizza party for the entire class
Principal:
The principal of the school for each grand prize winning student will receive:
 Gift certificate
©2011 THE BE KIND PEOPLE PROJECT
www.TheBeKindPeopleProject.org
The Be Kind People Project
Writing Contest
 Invitation to recognition dinner at The Capital Grille
 Designation of school in media releases
 Tickets for 2 people to an Arizona Diamondbacks game in Phoenix or a Kansas City
Royals game in Kansas City
Rules:
1. Students may submit one essay entry. The essay must be original writing done by the student.
2. Every essay submitted must have the approval by and be submitted by one of the student’s
teachers.
3. Multiple students per teacher may enter.
4. Each entry must be accompanied by a Release Form with necessary signatures of student,
teacher and parent. The form will include a release opt in/out for student and teacher photo
use.
5. All entries are the property of The Be Kind People Project.
6. All winner decisions are considered final.
©2011 THE BE KIND PEOPLE PROJECT
www.TheBeKindPeopleProject.org