Character Guidance

Elkhart Elementary School

2022 – 2023

To the parents/guardians of our students…

Welcome to the 2022 - 2023 school year!  At Elkhart Elementary School, we believe our character is VERY important!  Therefore, we strive to help our young students develop positive character traits.  We focus on a different character trait during each of the six weeks grading periods.  They are…

1st Six Weeks:  RESPECT  (Respect is represented by a yellow star.)

Our FOCUS:  

-“The Golden Rule” – Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  

-We are all a part of our school family and each person is equally valued.

-Use our words to help others, not hurt them.

-Show respect in our halls, classrooms, cafeteria, restroom, playground, busses, homes, community, etc.

-Use respect words such as “yes ma’am”, “no sir”, “thank you”, “you are welcome”, “please”, etc.

2nd Six Weeks:  CITIZENSIP (Citizenship is represented by a purple star.)

OUR FOCUS:

-Respect our pledges and flags.

-Obey our rules and laws.

-Be a good neighbor wherever we are (We can be a good neighbor to those who sit near us at school, in our lines as we walk through the halls, to the people who live near us, etc.)

-Volunteer to help others.

-Take care of our Earth by conserving energy, picking up trash, recycling, etc.

-Help others with a positive attitude.

-Work together to achieve a goal at school, home, or other settings.

*A good citizen cannot do just one of these acts.  A good citizen works hard to be respectful, responsible, caring, trustworthy, and fair at all times.

3rd Six Weeks:  Responsibility (Responsibility is represented by a green star.)

OUR FOCUS:

-Practice self-control and patience.

-Complete our school work correctly and completely without being told.

-Doing our best.  Keep trying and put forth our best effort even when the task is difficult.

-Complete tasks.  Finish what we start.

-Set goals for ourselves and work to fulfill them.

-Dream BIG about what we want to achieve as we grow up.  Which careers interest you?  What kind of training will prepare you for these careers (college, trade school, specialized training)?

-Express our feelings, needs, and wants in appropriate ways.

-Admit our mistakes.  Determine how to correct the problem.  Move forward as you do not continue making the same mistakes over and over.

-Practice good health habits by keeping clean, exercising, eating foods that are healthy, and picking up after ourselves.

-Keep ourselves safe.  

4th Six Weeks:  Caring (Caring is represented by a red star.)

OUR FOCUS:

-Empathy

-Courage

-Forgiveness

-Compassion

-Help those in need.  Do a good deed.

-Be sensitive to people’s feelings.  Show concern for others.

-Be a good friend.  Share your feelings in appropriate ways.

-Consider how your actions will affect others.

-Show thankfulness to those who help you.  

-Support and value your family members.

-Be happy with yourself.  Be happy with what you have.

-Don’t expect rewards for caring.  The good feeling you have as you care for others is the BEST REWARD!

-Kindness  ***We will participate in our GREAT KINDNESS CHALLENGE as we learn how to show kindness to others in many different ways.***

-We become caring people by doing caring things.  Practice makes perfect.  Practice makes permanent.

5th Six Weeks:  Trustworthiness (Trustworthiness is represented by a blue star.)

OUR FOCUS:

-Trust, Trustworthy, Trustworthiness

-Truth

-Honesty

-Is it TATTLING or TELLING?

-Perseverance

-Honor

-Self Control

-Self Discipline

-Integrity

-Promise Keeping

-Loyalty

6th Six Weeks:  Fairness (Fairness is represented by an orange star.)

OUR FOCUS:

-Know both side of the story.

-Recognize the human dignity in everyone.

-Avoid participation in gossip or in putting others down.

-Treat others like you want to be treated. (***The Golden Rule***)

-Avoid cheating or lying.

-Follow the rules at home or in school.

-Play games fairly and put forth your best effort.

Character Wall

All Elkhart Elementary school staff observe our students throughout the six weeks period and send me an email telling which child portrayed the targeted character trait and how this was achieved.  A star with that information is placed outside the Character Guidance classroom for all to enjoy.  Each child earning a star is recognized for his/her positive show of character at our assemblies each Friday.  We are so proud of the many ways our students show that they are Kids With Character!

Character Lunch

Towards the end of each six weeks grading period, a student from each classroom is selected from the Exceptional Character wall.  These students are invited to eat their lunch with me at a special decorated table in the cafeteria.  I enjoy eating lunch with our sweet Kids With Character.

Our goal at Elkhart Elementary School is to provide the training necessary for each of our young students so they understand what makes a true Kid With Character.  We believe that positive character traits is a life skill that will enhance their lives long after they graduate from Elkhart ISD.  You, as their family, have such an impact in their futures and we are proud to partner with you in this endeavor.