Guilford Charter Students Write Thousands of Cards for Veterans

Updated at 8 01 AM EST on November 13 2025, students at two Guilford County charter schools took part in a nationwide effort to thank current and former members of the U S armed forces. Greensboro Academies and Summerfield Academies allocated time during the school day for pupils to write cards and notes as part of Project Gratitude, a campaign organized by National Heritage Academies that WXII reported involves more than 100 schools across nine states and aims to produce more than 50 000 messages of thanks.

Project organizers presented the activity as a way to place virtues such as compassion and gratitude at the center of student learning. Nick Sheltrown, president and chief learning officer of National Heritage Academies, described the project as helping to keep those virtues central to students education. WXII provided on the ground coverage in Guilford County and reported remarks from organizers about how the schools are participating and why they hope the effort will inspire further kindness in surrounding communities.

For local residents the gesture has immediate, concrete effects. Veterans and active duty service members receive personal notes from students that many organizations say can boost morale and strengthen community ties. For families and educators the exercise serves as a classroom activity that models civic responsibility and interpersonal respect. The visible link between classrooms and community institutions also creates opportunities for local veteran service organizations to partner with schools in follow up activities, and for elected officials to recognize volunteerism among youth.

The event also underscores policy questions about how schools balance time for character and civic education with academic requirements. As charter schools operate with different autonomy and accountability structures than traditional public schools, choices about dedicating school hours to projects such as Project Gratitude illustrate how operators prioritize nonacademic learning objectives. Discussion among parents, school leaders, and district overseers about transparency, curricular goals, and the role of external organizations in schools can help ensure that such efforts align with community expectations and state education standards.

Participation by more than 100 schools across multiple states points to a broader trend of school based civic activities intended to cultivate community engagement among young people. In Guilford County the card writing on World Kindness Day created a visible moment for students to practice gratitude and civic courtesy. Local officials and school leaders now have an opportunity to consider how these activities fit into long term strategies for civic education, veteran outreach, and community building while maintaining oversight and accountability in how instruction time is used.