The We All Belong Kindness Awards podcast brought together Interim Superintendent Caleb Fine, Park City Education Foundation Executive Director Ingrid Whitley, and Park City Community Foundation CEO Dr. Joel Zarrow to discuss a new initiative aimed at promoting kindness, inclusion, and a sense of belonging within the Park City School District.

Key Points:

• Purpose of the Awards: The We All Belong Kindness Awards aim to celebrate students, teachers, and staff who actively combat bullying, harassment, and discrimination while fostering belonging. The initiative emphasizes grassroots efforts to create a culture of kindness and inclusion.
• Award Structure: Monthly winners will be recognized at all school levels, including students, teachers, and staff. Grand prizes include a significant scholarship for students and a cash award for staff, demonstrating the district’s investment in kindness.
• Organizational Support:
  • Caleb Fine highlighted the importance of addressing challenges identified in the district’s Office for Civil Rights complaint, emphasizing the goal of achieving "zero hate" in schools and fostering a community where everyone belongs.
  • Ingrid Whitley discussed how the awards align with the Education Foundation’s values of equity and inclusion, celebrating student leadership in promoting a positive school environment.
  • Joel Zarrow emphasized the Community Foundation’s focus on fostering community belonging and supporting schools as essential public institutions. He shared the hope that the program will inspire broader cultural change in the community, driven by the example of students and teachers.

Impact Goals: The leaders hope the awards will:

• Inspire meaningful conversations about kindness at home and in the community.
• Highlight and amplify positive behaviors already occurring in schools.
• Create a ripple effect of kindness that fosters inclusivity and strengthens the community as a whole.

The podcast underscores the collaboration between Park City School District, the Park City Education Foundation, and the Park City Community Foundation in creating a more inclusive and compassionate school environment.