Shaler Area's 143 Day of Kindness event brings out the best in everyone

Pittsburghers are very familiar with Fred Rogers, and the Shaler Area School District is making sure his legacy of love and kindness lives on through the 143 Day of Kindness event.

Rogers used the number 143 to represent “I Love You” — with 143 being the number of characters in each word of the phrase.

Over the past four years, Shaler has held the 143 Day of Kindness event to bring community members, students and teachers together to celebrate kindness on the 143rd day of the year.

“It’s always great when we open events like this up to the parents, students and our community. The teachers, kids, families and administrators here at Shaler have so much pride inside these walls,” Superintendent Bryan O’ Black said.

This year’s event was held on May 22 at Shaler Area Elementary School. The event was extra special because attendees got to witness the first Upstander Awards. Three local community members were recognized for their commitment to kindness, positivity and making a difference.

The trio of recipients were longtime math teacher Melissa McConville, School Resource Officer Frank Spiker and Ingrid Kalchthaler, community librarian at Shaler North Hills Community Library — known to many as Ms. Ing.

Each recipient received a handmade wooden plaque crafted by the GATE students at Shaler Area High School and a handmade superhero cape. Their image will remain on the Upstander Mural at the Shaler Area Middle School next to heroes such as Roberto Clemente and Fred Rogers.

During the event, Kalchthaler was volunteering in a classroom where she led children in a project that included decorating a pocket mirror with a positive affirmation. So every time the student opened the mirror, they would see a positive message about themselves.

“When you open this, it should remind you that you are a super special gift to your loved ones. You are the most important thing in the whole entire world to those who love you,” Kalchthaler said.

Kalchthaler’s personality was contagious, and her interaction with the students was comforting and warm. Those who spoke about her said she was a great example to the students and community.

“I am just humbled by the whole thing. I visit all the local schools, and Shaler has just been so wonderful to me. It just always reminds me to want to do better for myself and the community,” Kalchthaler said.

Alison Auerbeck of Shaler was in attendance with her 8-year-old daughter, Amelia.

“We go to the Shaler North Hills Library all the time, and Ms. Ing is so kind to the kids. Amelia really enjoys it,” Auerbeck said.

In addition to the many kindness projects that students could work on at the event, members of Café 118 handed out free snacks and drinks. Café 118 is a business opportunity unique to Shaler Area High School, where students with special needs gain meaningful work experience and can learn life skills that foster independence and confidence.

The café operates on Thursdays and Fridays during the first four periods of school. The mission of Café 118 is inclusion and empowerment.

“This opportunity gives students a chance to run a real business and teaches practical social life skills that promote inclusion,” said Christin Pintar, a speech pathologist at the high school and a volunteer who helps run Café 118.

The halls of the elementary school were filled with school-age children and their parents, all participating in the many activities of the evening.

There were tortoises for petting and rocks for painting and, for those who prefer a more intense evening, there was free tae kwon do lessons by Zang Taekwon-Do in Pine. Participating children could kick a board, break it and keep the two pieces of wood as a memento.

Just outside of the makeshift dojang “gymnasium,” local no-profit organizations shared information about a great cause. Two representatives from Casa San Jose were on hand to educate families about the outreach program that they offer to underprivileged Latinos.

“We are mainly here today to share our message with everyone and to spread the news about our many summer camps,” said Nelson Ortega, youth program manager.

Casa San Jose provides many resources to immigrants and families in need.

“We help with anything from mental health to housing. We provide lawyers if families need them, and we pride ourselves on being able to offer help to all members of the families — so not just the children but parents, grandparents and aunts and uncles as well,” said Lourdes Barden, a youth program specialist.

For more information about Casa San Jose’s services or to volunteer, reach out to Ortega or Barden at 412-343-3111 or info@casasanjose.org.

The evening wouldn’t have been complete without a wandering mascot.

Andy Armadillo from Texas Roadhouse made an appearance, and the children flocked to him for high-fives and hugs.