At Colonie Central High School, kindness is contagious, especially on Pay It Forward Friday, an initiative led by the school’s ICARE students. With the goal of uplifting their peers and fostering a stronger sense of connection, ICARE students took to the halls, writing and leaving positive, powerful messages around the building in hopes of brightening someone’s day.

From inspirational quotes to words of encouragement, these handwritten notes were posted to lockers, left on desks, and posted throughout the school. Each note served as a reminder that even small gestures of kindness can have a significant impact, fostering a community built on compassion, support, and unity.

“We want everyone to know that they’re seen, that they matter,” said Melissa Judge, associate principal. “Sometimes, a simple message can really make someone’s day, and we hope these notes help spread positivity.”

Pay It Forward Friday is part of the broader ICARE mission to create an inclusive and supportive school environment. By encouraging random acts of kindness and positive interactions, the ICARE program aims to build stronger connections between students, staff, and the community.

The messages left by ICARE students weren’t just about making others feel good in the moment—they were about creating lasting bonds and encouraging a culture of empathy and mutual respect. For the students and staff involved, seeing the joy these small notes brought to others was a reminder of the power of paying kindness forward.

As one message simply put it, "You matter."