• is a good person, someone to look up to and admire
• knows the difference between right and wrong and tries to do what is right
• sets a good example for everyone
• makes the world a better place
• lives according to the Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship

 September and October

Responsibility: Do what you are supposed to do • Persevere — keep on trying! • Always do your best • Useself-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable for your choices.

During the months of September and October, we will be teaching the pillar of Responsibility. The Character Counts Coalition uses the color green to symbolize this pillar. The pillar of Responsibility focuses on doing what you are supposed to do, perseverance, always trying your best, using self control, self-discipline, thinking before you act and being accountable for your choices. There are two key concepts that responsible people should understand. First, that life is full of choices and second, we are in charge of our choices. Responsible people know the difference between what they have the right to do and what is right to do. 

The willingness to accept responsibility for one's own life is the source from which self-respect springs.           ~Joan Didion

Please visit charactered.net/parent/activityresponsibility.asp for tips and suggestions on helping your child be responsible at home. 

October and November

RESPECT: Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule • Be tolerant of differences • Use good manners, not bad language • Be considerate of the feelings of others • Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements

For the months of October & November, Kuehnle Elementary School will be working to teach and instill the meaning and practice of respecting others, promoting a greater understanding of differences in people and to strengthen the values of tolerance, compassion, and respect for others with our students. This will be done through classroom lessons, discussions, and modeling. The Character Counts Coalition uses the color yellow to symbolize this pillar.

There are 4 key areas pertaining to respect:

• The Golden Rule: treat others the way you want to be treated, be polite and courteous, respect the freedom of others, and respect others’ property.
•  Tolerance and Acceptance: respect others who are different from you, listen to the point of view of others and try to understand, and don’t judge people by their outside appearances or other stereotypes.
• Non-violence: solve disagreements and deal with your anger in a peaceful manner, and do not use physical force or hostile language to show anger or get what you want.
• Courtesy: use good manners, be polite and courteous to everyone, and do not hurt others by embarrassing them, putting them down or insulting them.

Please visit  www.empoweringparents.com/Disrespectful-Children-Teens-Behavior.php# for tips and suggestions on helping your child be respectful at home.