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Respect
To consider worthy of
high esteem and to treat courteously.
For
the months of August and
September, District 146 focuses on the
Character Standard of Respect. In class, teachers
will be defining and highlighting this quality throughout
the day in a variety of ways. We know that parents
work with their children on similar issues continuously
and so may also wish to focus on respect while it is being
emphasized at school. You can help your child
understand and appreciate this quality in many different
ways. During the normal course of the day, you might
point out people who are treating each other respectfully.
You might relate how you feel when you are treated well
and ask them about their feelings when they are being
treated with courtesy. For older children, a
dinnertime conversation about how our country is based on
respect for the rights of people of all races, religions
and ethnic backgrounds would be very appropriate.
TV shows and movies can provide a wealth of topics about
how the characters are acting and the differences between
that and real life situations. Through all these
things, as well as what we do at school, the children will
see that respect is one of the important qualities we need
to get along with others and be high quality human beings
ourselves.
The
practice of mental and moral training for developing
self-control.
For the month of October, District146
focuses on the character standard of self-discipline.
It is a
primary quality that will help children be successful in
life.
The
goal for our students at school is stated in the District
Academic and Behavior standards is to help the child
understand and use the “core character standard of
self-discipline with an emphasis on classroom practice.”
If students have this characteristic, we will see them
making positive decisions with regard to school work,
showing self-control in relationships with others, and
setting goals for themselves.
A wise parent will use childhood to
prepare a child for success as an adult. Self discipline
is one of the most important character qualities a child
can develop. Ironically, spoiled children are usually not
happy; self disciplined children often are!
Parents may want to see self-discipline
practiced at home by such things as children tying their
own shoes, cleaning up after themselves, and taking
ownership of their homework assignments. Parents can help
children to develop self discipline by pointing out the
logical consequences of behavior. Point out how the
child’s behavior led to negative or positive
consequences. If there is a negative result from a
child’s decision, don’t rush in to smooth everything
over. Your child will be able to tolerate the discomfort
and will then learn from the mistake. You can then help
the child plan for a different outcome next time which the
child will be in charge of by acting in a more positive
way.
The persistent person will pursue
excellence; keep trying to do their best; be willing to
make the effort to complete tasks even when things are
difficult or not a favorite task to do; and learn and grow
from positive and negative experiences.
This important trait gives us the
strength of character we all need to achieve goals and
face problems. As adults we know that life is full of big
and little problems. It is through overcoming difficulties
through perseverance that we learn that we are strong
enough to do so. We help our children to learn this by
encouraging them to work at difficult tasks and keep
working even if success is not immediate.
Quotations on
Perseverance
The will to persevere is often the
difference between failure and success. Author:
David Sarnoff
Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races
one after another.
Author:
Walter Elliott
Consider the postage stamp, my son. It secures success
through its ability to stick to one thing till it gets
there. Author:
Josh
Billings
News
and Information
We
are happy to let you know that Fierke Education Center
has started Rainbows support groups. Rainbows
is a grief support curriculum for children who have
experienced a loss in their families through divorce, a
family separation or a death in the family. The natural
reactions for anyone following such an event are grief,
anger, and sadness. Unresolved, these issues can impact a
person in many different ways. Even if events have
occurred in the past, there still may be current feelings
that need to be expressed and resolved. Rainbows provides
a curriculum that helps adults help children deal with
their needs regarding their feelings. It is not therapy
but rather a small group support program where children
can learn about themselves and develop their own ways of
coping.
Parents wishing more
information may call Terri O’Toole at school (extension
3201) or visit the Rainbows website:
http://www.rainbows.org/rainbows.html
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