Goodman Elementary Celebrates World Kindness Day With H-E-B and The Kindness Campaign

Victor Ramírez, a fifth-grade student at Goodman Elementary, shares what kindness means to him.

Goodman Elementary School students and staff celebrated World Kindness Day on Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, with a rally supported by H-E-B and The Kindness Campaign. Students explored kindness to the Earth, others, and themselves at the Aldine ISD campus.

When students were asked why it is important to be kind to the Earth, third grader Zoe Jefferson connected the idea to a shared responsibility.

“It’s important to be kind to the Earth, because Earth is our home, and we should take care of it,” Zoe said.

Students in grades 1-5 participated in group chants and answered presenters’ questions. H-E-Buddy also made an appearance, and most attendees wore Enoughie headbands, according to Lucille “Lucy” Barnes, Goodman’s information literacy specialist and school librarian.

Goodman, which adheres to the Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) model, was one of six Texas campuses selected for a rally from more than 200 schools that applied, Principal LaDon Ward said. Ward said H-E-B Public Affairs Manager Lacey Dalcour Salas confirmed the school’s selection and presented Goodman with a $500 H-E-B gift card.

“Being selected for a Kindness Rally was extra special because of all of the hard work our counselors and staff do to help students feel a sense of belonging,” Ward said.

Lacey Dalcour Salas, H-E-B public affairs manager (center), poses with the H-E-B World Kindness Day Committee while celebrating World Kindness Day at Goodman Elementary School.

Ward also connected the celebration to Goodman’s No Place for Hate recognition and its intentional focus on kindness toward others.

The resources shared with the school will help carry the message beyond the rally. Kindness boxes included student and staff headbands, books, stickers, bracelets made by The Kindness Campaign volunteers, and an Enoughie plush doll. Some books went to students, while others will remain in the library for group reading. H-E-B also provided bookmarks for students.

“All of these materials will be used as reminders to everyone to be kind to the Earth, others, and themselves,” Barnes said.

The celebration carried a message that reached beyond a single morning: Kindness is something students can practice every day — in how they speak to themselves and how they treat one another.

Goodman Counselor Kesha Franks, Assistant Principal Janette Torres, Jarely Uribe, the Campus Teacher of the Year; Principal LaDon Ward, AP Kappelle Traylor, and School Counselor Kim Christian pose (l-r).