“What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us!” – Helen Keller

The 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud lady, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o’clock, with her hair fashionably coifed and makeup perfectly applied even though she is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. Her husband of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently… Read more »

The Lives and Legacies of Everyday Heroes Every one of our children needs to know how the world is organized; each needs principles to guide his or her actions. They need to know what is right and what is wrong, what makes the good guys good and the bad ones bad. They need stars to… Read more »

Character Development implies a program where people are in a continual state of learning about the way they present themselves to others. (Responsibility) Character Development further implies there are traits, skills and relationships essential for one to live their life on purpose. Our goal is not just to educate people about positive character traits, relationships… Read more »

From the ashes of Sept. 11 arise the manly virtues. A few weeks ago I wrote a column called “God Is Back,” about how, within a day of the events of Sept. 11, my city was awash in religious imagery–prayer cards, statues of saints. It all culminated, in a way, in the discovery of the… 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 »

Adventures of Nicolas – Siiteri, Helen Adventures of Obadiah – Turkle, Brinton The Adventures of Tom Sawyer – Twain, Mark After the Goat Man – Byars, B Amanda and the Giggling Ghost – Kroll, Steve Arthur and The True Francine – Brown, Marc A Bad Case of Stripes – Shannon, David Bad Times of Irma… Read more »