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CHARACTER
EDUCATION
What is it? As defined by Dr. Thomas Lickona, a nationally
recognized leader in this movement, character education “is the
deliberate effort to develop virtues that are good for the individual
and good for society. The objective goodness of virtues is based
on the fact that they affirm our human dignity, promote the well-being
and happiness of the individual, serve the common good, define our
rights and obligations, meet the classical ethical tests of
reversibility (Would YOU want to be treated this way?)and
universalizability (Would you want ALL persons to act this way in a
similar situation/).” Developing positive character
traits among our youth is vital in today’s society. The EBT
firmly believes that character education should be infused into the
climate and daily routine of our school. It has provided the
school with the following list of the traits to be taught and when:
September – Responsibility, October – Leadership, November –
Citizenship, December – Caring, January – Attitude, February –
Tolerance, March – Respect, April – Honesty, May – Fairness, June
– Trustworthiness. Among the ongoing school wide activities that
support the new Project SAVE state legislation and the required
Character Education component of this law they include: The
Principal’s “RAVE Board of Responsibility”, Bus Student Of The
Month, “Star Of The Week”, Pumsey Program (self esteem), Kelso’s
Choice Program (conflict management strategy), Peer Mediation Program,
DARE Program, Anti Bullying movie, twenty attractive banners supporting
the various character ed. Themes, and a building Character Education
Committee composed of administration, faculty and staff. This
initiative is perhaps the most one important thing that can help to make
students feel safe and secure in order that they may do their best
academically while attending school.
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