At Franklin High School in Elk Grove, RAKS – which stands for Random Acts of Kindness – is a current ASB leadership commission. 

The commission’s goal is to spread kindness and positivity throughout the school year in forms of RAKS weeks.

During these RAKS weeks, several events occur each week to ensure campus kindness and enhance student life around the school – including buying or selling positive messages to give to students and staff members, participating in different spirit days, and building or decorating sweet treats.

So far, the commission has hosted several RAKS weeks such as “Hello Kitty, Hello Kindness” school kickoff week, “Treat People with Kindness” Halloween boo week, “Winter Week,” and, most recently, “Love is in the Air” Valentine’s week.

Bryan Kilby, a Franklin teacher and the activities director, said RAKS definitely stands out from other programs.

“We have a position in our leadership program that’s dedicated to RAKS, and I don’t know that other schools have that,” he said. “It (RAKS weeks) happens at least four times a year, and at other sites, based on my experience, I don’t know that that happens as frequently at other sites.”

In addition to the positivity of RAKS, Kilby is proud of how inclusive it is.

“The idea is showing kindness to everybody, no matter if it’s one of your peers, colleagues or just being able to be kind to everybody, we’re all one one, and so just being able to showcase that kindness,” he said.

RAKS also creates a welcome cultural environment for students.

“The fact that we have not only been able to showcase what we’ve done on campus, but also show kindness and promote kindness really adds to the culture here at Franklin high school,” Kilby said. “It’s a positive, kind, and fun place for students to go to school.”

He relates the struggle teens go through in high school to RAKS.

“Being a high school teenager is tough,” Kilby said. “With social media and all the different kinds of pressures that high school students have as far as academic and family and social, I think the importance of kindness is magnified even more so now.”

Karsyn Modica, a junior and a second-year RAKS commissioner, learned about the commission from close friends and joined RAKS to be more involved in school life outside of sports. Modica is proud to be part of a commission where anyone at school can participate. 

“One of the most important aspects of the commission is that we do what we do unexpectedly and without expecting much in return to help promote the idea or doing kind things for others ‘just because,’ ” she said.

Modica enjoys the joy from all the students and staff who participate.

“A lot of students talk about how the little activities and grams we offer not only make the day a little more fun and give them something to look forward to, but it also serves as a reminder to do something nice for others,” she said.

After seeing the positive effect on Franklin, Modica said it’s something that all schools should offer.

“It’s an effective yet simple way to boost student interaction with one another, and also encourage them to do something kind for others without expecting something in return,” Modica said. “These simple gestures easily make someone’s day better.”

Lana Alvarado, a senior who is also in her second year as a RAKS commissioner, joined RAKS to spread more kindness across campus after a friend encouraged her to jump in.

She said she’s grateful to be part of this commission.

“I enjoy seeing the smiles on other people’s faces when they receive the grams,” Alvarado said. “It is a really warm feeling around campus, and I also like getting to know others and helping make others’ day.”

Before becoming a RAKS commissioner, she said how she didn’t even know what the commission was.

“At the time, I didn’t know much about what RAKS did, but I knew I wanted to get more involved on campus and make a positive impact by spreading kindness,” Alvarado said. “RAKS wasn’t very well-known at Franklin, and I wanted to help change that.” 

She is proud to be a commissioner because of how much of a positive effect it has on Franklin.

“Everyone deserves to feel loved, and RAKs is the perfect way to make sure everyone is appreciated,” Alvarado said. “RAKS emphasizes the importance of appreciating staff members by giving students a way to express gratitude for their hard work and dedication. Through these acts, RAKS helps build a culture of kindness and appreciation throughout the school.”

Alvarado said Franklin’s RAKS commission stands out and should be an example for other schools.

“By incorporating RAKS, schools can enhance student life by promoting kindness, reducing stress, and making the school experience more enjoyable for everyone,” she said.