Anthropologist Margaret Mead once wrote, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful people can change the world.”

Students at Ross J. Lurgio Middle School will see if that’s true this year as they embark on a new community service project.

It’s called “Pay It Forward,” and it’s loosely based on the Hollywood movie of the same name. The premise is simple: Students will go out into the community and perform an act of kindness for three people. Those people, in turn, will go out and do the same for three others, and so on.

Principal Ed Joyce said the flagging economy had a lot to do with the school’s choice in deciding what to do this year in terms of charitable giving. “Times are tough, and this doesn’t cost families anything,” he said.

Once the details were ironed out, the staff still had to present the idea to the school’s student council, where they were met with enthusiasm. Student Council secretary Gabby Potter said, “We all really liked the idea. Everyone can do it, and it can really make a difference.”

At the assembly, Joyce told students, “I have faith in you ... I’m really, really proud to be your principal, and I’m excited to see how far this goes.”

The assembly also included video clips of support and encouragement from near and far. Bedford Superintendent Timothy Mayes sent a video clip offering his support for the program, as did Assistant Superintendent Chip McGee.

Students were also greeted by “Saturday Night Live” actor Seth Meyers, whose mother works at Lurgio, and Bedford native Sarah Silverman, who told students that “a little kindness goes a crazy long way.”

The school wanted a way to be able to track the success of the program, and that’s where technology comes in. Each Lurgio student will be given four cards – one master card with the student’s name and assigned ID number, and three others. When the student completes a good deed for someone, these “A-OK (Act of Kindness)” cards will be presented to the recipients, who will then be able to log onto a Web site and register not only what was done, but also their zip code, to see how far-reaching this program will be.

Regular check-ins will occur through the school year to keep students motivated, but student council adviser Rachel Fairhurst doesn’t see motivation as a problem.

“I think this will show what these kids are really capable of – so many just say, ‘Well, they’re just kids,” she said.

This year, Lurgio students hope to prove them wrong.

For more information, visit www.sau25.net/ payitforward.