Adams Middle School in Guilford Named a Distinguished Kindness School

Adams Middle School in Guilford Earns International Kindness Designation

Elisabeth C. Adams Middle School in Guilford has been named a Distinguished Kindness School by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, making it one of just 354 schools worldwide out of nearly six million to earn the designation, according to Patch. The recognition, announced in December 2025, reflects a yearlong effort by students to build a culture of kindness and compassion at the school.

The achievement was celebrated during a schoolwide assembly on February 12, 2026, which featured the presentation of an official state proclamation by State Representative Moira Rader (D-98) honoring the school's commitment to fostering kindness, Patch reported.

Student Council Leads Kindness Initiatives in Guilford School

The Distinguished Kindness School designation was earned through a series of student-led initiatives spearheaded by the Adams Middle School student council. Activities included organizing a kindness pledge, launching awareness campaigns, performing random acts of kindness for classmates, writing gratitude letters to teachers, and coordinating a Thanksgiving food drive that collected hundreds of items for the Guilford Food Pantry, according to Patch.

Student council member Zach Piagentini emphasized the impact of the school's efforts. "It does not matter if the act is big or small, kindness still goes a long way," Piagentini said, according to Patch. He added that "kindness is contagious and should be a priority."

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides free educational resources to schools promoting kindness through student-led activities and curriculum integration. Schools seeking the Distinguished Kindness School designation must demonstrate sustained commitment to kindness initiatives over the course of an academic year.

February Assembly Celebrates Achievement in Guilford

The February 12 assembly brought the school community together to recognize the accomplishment. During the event, students presented research demonstrating how kindness benefits both the people who receive kind acts and those who perform them.

State Representative Rader presented the official state proclamation during the assembly, marking the recognition as significant not just for the school but for the broader Guilford community.

Dallas Cowboys tight end Luke Schoonmaker, a Connecticut native who attended Xavier High School in the area, sent a signed photo inscribed "Kindness Matters" to the school, which is now displayed in the main office, according to Patch. Schoonmaker, a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of the University of Michigan, has maintained connections with the Connecticut community.

Random Acts of Kindness Week Extends Efforts

The assembly also served as the launch for Random Acts of Kindness Week, which ran from February 16 to 20, 2026. The week-long observance encouraged students to continue performing acts of kindness and strengthening a culture of respect and compassion throughout the school community.

The foundation's Random Acts of Kindness Week is an annual event observed by schools and organizations across the country. At Adams Middle School, the week built on the momentum of the December designation and the February celebration.

The student council's initiatives, including the kindness pledge and the Thanksgiving food drive, demonstrate how the school has integrated kindness into its daily culture. The Guilford Food Pantry was a direct beneficiary of the students' efforts, receiving hundreds of donated items during the food drive.

New Principal Appointed at Adams Middle School

A new principal was appointed at Adams Middle School on February 24, 2026, according to a Patch report. The leadership transition comes shortly after the school received its kindness designation and concluded the celebratory events.

The incoming principal inherits a school with strong student engagement in community-building activities. The Distinguished Kindness School designation provides a foundation for continued emphasis on social-emotional learning and positive school culture under new leadership.

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