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Character Traits

In the fall of 2023, we launched our Character Traits program. Throughout the year, we focus on explicitly teaching students about a positive character trait. The purpose of teaching these traits is to support the development of skills that contribute to lifelong wellness and success. These skills range from compassion to grit and are interwoven into the experiences students have in school on a daily basis. 

Check this page throughout the school year as we explore different character traits.

EMBRACING DIVERSITY 

Students are encouraged to think about ways we are all different from one another and why it is so important to have diversity within our school and around our community. 

Would you like to talk with your student about embracing diversity at home? Here are some questions you could ask:

  • What is diversity? In what ways are people different from one another? 
  • What makes differences great?
  • Can you think of a time you noticed someone was different from you? What did you notice? What did you think? 
  • What do you like most about friends who are different from you?

What does it mean to embrace diversity?

 

INTEGRITY

Students are encouraged to think about how they can do the right thing, even when no one is looking. 

Would you like to talk with your student about integrity at home? Here are some questions you could ask:

  • What is integrity?
  • Why is it important to demonstrate integrity?

Present “What Would You Do?” scenarios:

  • You are walking behind someone and $20 falls out of their bag. They do not notice. 
  • You made a mistake that someone else is being blamed for.
  • You notice that some of your classmates are treating another student unkindly. You can tell from the student’s body language that they feel hurt and sad.

 

SELF CONTROL 

Students are exploring ways that they can regulate their actions and emotions in a variety of settings and situations. 

Would you like to talk with your student about self-control at home? Here are some questions you could ask:

  • What is self-control?
  • When you are angry or upset, what strategies do you use to calm yourself before making a decision or taking action?
  • When you play with your friends, what are some things that can make you feel sad/upset/angry? Is there anything you can do to prevent that from occurring? What can you do to communicate your thoughts/feelings if it does occur?
  • What do you need in order to focus on your schoolwork? When there are distractions, what can you do to help yourself?

 

EMPATHY

Students are being encouraged to see things from another’s perspective and imagine how they feel. 

Would you like to talk with your student about empathy at home? Here are some questions you could ask:

  • What is empathy? Can you think of a time you were empathetic to others, or someone was empathetic to you?
  • How can we show we understand and care about others?

Present “What Would You Do?” scenarios:

  • During recess, you notice a student sitting alone, looking sad and not joining any games.
  • During art class, a student is struggling to cut shapes out of construction paper. You can tell that he feels frustrated.

 

GRIT

Angela Duckworth, a leading researcher on grit, describes grit as passion and perseverance for long-term goals, even when progress is halting or slow. Students are being encouraged to think about how they can demonstrate grit in both their short and long-term goals. 

Would you like to talk with your student about grit at home? Here are some questions you could ask:

  • What is grit?

  • How does demonstrating grit help you accomplish your goals?

  • What makes it hard to demonstrate grit? How can you be proactive about those challenges?

  • What is a goal you are working towards? How are you (or will you) demonstrate grit when you are faced with challenges?

  • Think of a time that you have demonstrated grit. What did you accomplish? How did it feel? What did you learn?