Orange County Register
Denise Rios

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.

Values in Action!really works. We left another Irvine elementary school after five years. We had friends, we were very involved as parents, we had alot of ties. The academic program was excellent. But when the opportunity came up to put my three children into ECR we did it. It was a hard move and we did it solely on the belief that children need values taught whenever and wherever they can get it. We are well into our second year and believe me – they are getting something at El Camino Real that will last them a lifetime.

I invite every parent to this challenge. Ask any school age child you know – what is the definition of each of these terms – compassion, integrity, perseverance, positive mental attitude, respect, initiative, and cooperation? Do they know the meanings, have they demonstrated these values in their daily lives? Do they see them demonstrated by adults in authority or others their age?

Recently I overheard my six year old, unsuccessfully leaning to tie her shoes, say, “I’ll get it with perseverance, I’ll just keep trying.” She has already gotten the concept into her little mind. This program works. The children learn the language, they learn the meaning, and it can’t help but become part of their lives.

When we changed schools I could not believe the difference this made in my children. No they are not perfect, they still are kids, but they are kids with a deeper insight and data base. Even more impressive, I could not believe the difference it made in our family. Such supportive signs in the classroom as, “It’s okay to make mistakes, that’s the way we learn” or “I can do it,” are constant reminders and sources of encouragement to keep trying, to keep working.