In Character Development

School District special recognition: We’d like to congratulate as well recognize Cherry Hills School District and staff for their excellent program efforts to promote Character Development. Here are some examples of what they are fostering in their young people:

LIFE SKILLS ~ including CHARACTER EDUCATION ~ are an integral part of each student’s academic, personal, and social growth. It is crucial that he/she progresses in the acquisition of those life skills which will assure success over the entire course of his/her life’s journey. The following part of the LIFE SKILLS (Grades K-12) standards and benchmarks, Developing Character – Responsibility, Respect, and American Citizenship, has been adopted by the Cherry Hills School District.

“RESPONSIBILITY”

The student demonstrates an understanding of responsible behavior, and conducts himself/herself in a responsible manner.

Understands why personal responsibility is important, and understands the benefits of fulfilling responsibilities.

Does what one says he/she will do.

Holds one’s self accountable for actions or failure to act.

Refrains from blaming others for one’s mistakes.

Understands that one’s actions have consequences both for oneself and for others, and thus conducts oneself in a way that considers those consequences.

Demonstrates self-control and self-discipline.

Uses good judgment.

Recognizes and defers to others in authority when appropriate.

Attends class every day unless legitimately excused.

Arrives on time for class each day.

Completes assignments in a timely manner.

Handles and treats with care all school property, including text and library books, computers, and other equipment.

Does not write on school walls, desks or other structures.

Does not take, without permission, items which do not belong to him/her.

Is honest and truthful.

Does one’s own work and refrains from all types of cheating, within the realm of academic, co-curricular and extra-curricular.

Cleans up after one’s self.

“RESPECT”

The student demonstrates an understanding of respectful behavior, and conducts himself/herself in a respectful manner.

Understands why respecting one’s self and others is important and necessary.

Is sensitive to the needs, interests, and desires of others.

Speaks in a courteous, polite, and respectful manner and tone to others.

Responds appropriately when addressed by others.

Demonstrates an appreciation of the rights of others by refraining from using foul, obscene, vulgar, or otherwise inappropriate language.

Demonstrates an appreciation of the rights of others by refraining from using verbal and body language to ridicule, belittle, mock, hassle, or deride others.

Refrains from interrupting others’ conversations.

Exhibits appropriate behavior in public settings by refraining from carrying on separate conversations and otherwise distracting or disturbing others during class lectures, assembly periods, and artistic or other performances.

Abides by school/classroom rules.

Conducts one’s self in a respectful manner during transitional time between periods.

Resolves conflicts in a peaceful and respectful manner, without resorting to violence or disrespectful speech.

Interacts positively with others, thus refraining from the utilization of threatening words or body posture.

Demonstrates an appreciation that one can learn from others by never intentionally excluding or making others feel unwelcome, disliked, or inferior.

Intervenes by appropriate and respectful means when someone is mistreated.

“AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP”

The student demonstrates the importance and consequences of Americans as sharing and supporting certain values, beliefs, and principles of a constitutional democracy.

Understands that as citizens of the United States, we all have certain personal rights and privileges, which are contained in key historical documents such as the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Understands that as American citizens, we are compelled to respect, accept, and honor the rights of others that are secured by our constitutional government.

Understands that the rights set forth in the historical documents that secure our personal rights also reflect our shared values, principles and beliefs, and that it is these shared rights, values, principles, and beliefs that unite us, rather than ethnicity, race, religion, class, language, gender, or national origin.

Demonstrates how respect for these shared rights, values, principles, and beliefs contribute to the continuation and improvement of American democracy.

Demonstrates personal and public character traits that contribute to the health of American democracy such as civility, respect for the rights of other individuals, respect for the law, negotiation and compromise, personal responsibility, civic-mindedness, and patriotism.

Demonstrates an understanding of the importance for society that one accept responsibility for one’s actions, adhere to moral principles, consider the rights and interests of others, and behave in a civil manner.

Demonstrates important personal traits such as self-discipline, self-governance, and responsibility that lead citizens to become independent and productive members of society.

Demonstrates compassion and respect for the rights and choices of individuals, that foster respect for individual worth and human dignity.

Here’s some of the activities being promoted in Classrooms in Cherry Hills as reported by school district questionnaire:

Question: What is one thing you have done in your classroom this year that promotes Character Education?

High School Responses:

Reinforce student empathy.

“Word of the Week” program.

Evaluation of the “Golden Rules” from around the world & how they are relevant to today’s society.

Reflective journal writing on value-based questions.

We have already completed a very successful cooperative learning assignment on the types of messages & images we all receive from the MEDIA!

Peer tutoring within our special education class.

Salute my students’ accomplishments publicly or privately as best suits them. Admonish them for inappropriate behavior.

Many of the “100 Ways to Promote Character Education”.

Middle School Responses:

With each of my classes in the beginning of the year we define “respect”. I hold kids accountable throughout the year by reminding them of our discussion.

Every day we practice complimenting others. We help throughout the school