Caribbean School’s Character Committee members will be writing a Character Development program to teach the principles and traits essential to becoming a quality citizen of society

Caribbean School’s Character Committee members will be writing a Character Development program to teach the principles and traits essential to becoming a quality citizen of society. We are now in the process of choosing the character traits that we want to cultivate/nurture. Three of those attributes (respect, responsibility, and integrity) are stated in our school’s Character Development objective and therefore have already been chosen. We are now asking the school community to vote on three more traits that the school should foster within the curriculum and all school activities

Character education is the development of knowledge, skills, and abilities that enable the learner to make informed and responsible choices. It involves a shared educational commitment that emphasizes the responsibilities and rewards of productive living in a global a diverse society. Character education enables students to come face to face with the realities of life. It encourages them to think critically and then act responsibly. Instructional materials, methods, and strategies, when developed into interdisciplinary curricular themes, empower teachers to create meaning while allowing students time for purposeful exploration and self-reflection. Character development provides a foundation upon which we can build respect for human dignity and create twenty- first-century schools that will empower students to achieve excellence. – From: Urban Programs Resources Network - University of Illinois Extension

Please circle the one(s) that apply to you:

Caribbean School Teacher Caribbean School Parent Caribbean School Student

Please indicate the THREE (3) traits you feel are the most important with an X.

Trait	Vote
Respect- (Objective, unbiased consideration and regard for the rights, values, beliefs and property of all people, including yourself.)
Responsibility- (The obligation to answer for actions.)
Integrity- (personal inner sense of “wholeness” deriving from honesty and consistent uprightness of character)
Honesty- (Telling the truth. The quality or fact of being honest; upright and fair. Not cheating, deceiving, or stealing.)
Caring- (Showing understanding of others by treating them with kindness, compassion, generosity and a forgiving spirit.)
Fairness- (Practicing justice, equity and equality. The fair, moral and impartial treatment of all people. Fair is free from bias, self-interest and deception.)
Tolerance- (A fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, etc., differ from one's own; freedom from bigotry.)
Perseverance- (Pursuing worthy objectives with determination and patience while exhibiting fortitude when confronted with failure.)
Loyalty- (The state or quality of being loyal, faithful to commitments or obligations.)
Courtesy- (Excellence of manners or social conduct; polite behavior.)
Citizenship- (The character of an individual viewed as a member of society and his/her behavior in terms of the duties, obligations, and functions towards it.)
Trustworthiness- (deserving trust, confidence and faith; being reliable )

Please return this form to the Middle/Upper School Library by March 9, 2007

On the other side of this survey, please feel free to make comments and suggest ideas and activities that will promote the learning and understanding of these character traits.

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