Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing. – Abraham Lincoln

If you don’t want to get stung, don’t hang around with the bees! – Author Unknown

The Orange County Register After reading your article about the values and ethics program at El Camino Real Elementary School, I feel compelled to let my family get their own Cheerios this morning and share my experience at El Camino. This program works! We left another Irvine elementary school after five years. We had friends,… Read more »

1. Build your child’s confidence. There is no greater gift you can give your child than a strong foundation of faith. 2. Avoid faulting and favoring. Comparisons only contribute to manufacturing a victim. 3.Be the role model of all the language and behavior you want your child to exhibit. Seldom if ever do kids improve… Read more »

Learn how to delay your impulsive responses by using these ideas! Anger is a normal, human emotion. It is intense. Everyone gets angry and has a right to his/her anger. Do you manage your anger? Do you allow anger to mobilize you in positive directions? Open, honest, and direct expression is the most effective way… Read more »

New Book Helps Out! Yes, manners should be taught at home, but if a teacher can help reinforce good manners at school in a fun way, why not? Mind Your Manners, Ben Bunny (Scholastic Press) is fine fun! Author and illustrator Mavis Smith makes excellent use of the popular lift-the-flap format. But don’t let the… Read more »

2002-2003 Jennifer Van Horik Counselor – Cerro Villa Middle School Orange CA Jennifer was the driving force in recognizing that kids that were not clear about the importance of respect in middle school relationships were not going to be effective as people. Her tireless efforts in promoting school wide Respect training has brought her district… Read more »

If you think you are beaten, you are; If you think you dare not, you don’t; If you want to win but think you can’t; It’s almost a cinch you won’t. If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost; For out of the world we find Success begins with a fellow’s will; It’s all in a… Read more »

It is only a tiny rosebud, A flower of God’s design; But I cannot unfold the petals With these clumsy hands of mine. The secret of unfolding flowers Is not known to such as I. GOD opens this flower so sweetly, Then in my hands they die. If I cannot unfold a rosebud, This flower… Read more »

“If we work upon marble, it will perish; if we work upon brass, time will efface it; if we rear temples, they will crumble into dust; but if we work upon immortal minds and instill into them just principles, we are then engraving that upon tablets which no time will efface, but will brighten and… Read more »