There’s something to be said for the quotation “everything in moderation,” but there’s one thing of which there can never be too much — kindness.

A small and very welcome display of this attribute took place in the Slippery Rock Area Elementary School’s parking lot earlier this week ahead of a national celebration known as Random Acts of Kindness Week, which runs from Feb. 14 to 20.

The function of this self-explanatory week is a good one — promoting goodwill and decency toward others — especially at this fraught moment in our nation’s history.

To help spread the good cheer, a group of state troopers and local police officers stood in a line holding signs featuring encouraging words and funny faces in the school’s parking lot as students made their way into the building Monday morning.

In response, some students handed out treats to the officers and returned the friendly gestures.

Aside from this being a nice, heartwarming event — a morale boost is always welcome, especially when it’s being directed at young people, who are likely having a more challenging time dealing with the social distancing element of COVID-19 than many of their parents — it’s also a great way for some of the community’s stewards (police officers) and future residents and leaders (children) to connect.

Often, when the police show up, something bad has happened — such as a crime or a traffic accident.

But Monday’s visit is a good example of why interaction between officers and local children can be more than that.

“It shows that we’re always here to help them; we’re always out in the community,” Slippery Rock Police Chief Terry Fedokovitz said. “It shows that we’re people too. We can try to bridge that gap.”

We agree. Acts of kindness — whether random or planned — are always welcome, especially when being used as teachable moments for the children in our communities.

Episodes that can be used to create better understanding or empathy are encouraged too.

We’re glad to see such an event occur, and hope to see similar occurrences around the county, not just during a designated week, but all year round.

— NCD