Character Counts! Learn More about the 6 Pillars of Character

October 6, 2016  

Dear Parents,  

This school year, we chose a nationally recognized character education program called CHARACTER COUNTS! The Six Pillars of Character is a framework for teaching good character and is composed of six ethical values (characteristics) everyone can agree upon:

• Trustworthiness
• Respect
• Responsibility
• Fairness
• Caring
• Citizenship  

The CHARACTER COUNTS! Program uses six character traits to help instill a positive learning environment for students and a “culture of kindness” making schools a safe environment for students to learn. 
Teachers will incorporate these values into their classrooms in many of the following ways: classroom rules/rituals/procedures, literature activities, class discussions, cooperative groups, modeling and by rewarding examples of positive behavior. Each month our school will focus on one of the six values, and students will participate in classroom activities that help them to learn about and remind them of the value of the month.  

The CHARACTER COUNTS! program is not another curriculum to add to the teaching day. Instead, it is a means of sharing common beliefs and language between school, community and home. It is delivered all day, every day by everyone our students encounter. The Pillars are taught, reinforced and modeled by adults and peers alike. Through this immersion in the program, students will begin to internalize the pillars and act upon them, even if no one is around!  

Your child will be involved in learning-activities designed to develop good character and empower them to make good choices. He or she may be asked to complete several tasks at home. Your cooperation with these activities will support our overall goal.  

For the month of October we will focus on the Responsibility Pillar. Students will participate in group activities and discussions about being responsible, and about the personal benefits of making responsible choices.  

Here are some things you can do to support us in teaching our students about being a responsible person:  

• Talk with your children about responsibility. Tell them that responsibility isn't just doing chores; it's following through on commitments, being accountable for their actions, being reliable and trustworthy, using good judgment, taking care of their own affairs, doing their best, thinking before acting, admitting mistakes and working to make them right, and not procrastinating. Let them know that these are signs they are growing up and can be trusted with more responsibility. 
• “Catch” your children making a responsible choice or behaving in a responsible manner. Tell them how much that means to you. 
• Help your child do his or homework and talk with them about being responsible. 

​We look forward to working with you this school year because at Miner, CHARACTER COUNTS!