Show You Panther Pride

Ironia Elementary School

Character Education Monthly Themes

September Character Education Theme:  Friendship

September Color:  PINK

Friendship is an interesting word.  A friend is someone who knows all about you and likes you for

who you are.  A ship, of course, is a large boat.  So that means that a "friend-ship" is a boat that

holds friends!  A friend-ship can help you reach your dreams and goals in life.  A friend-ship can

carry you over the roughest waters in the hardest of times.  A friend-ship can give you a safe

harbor when you are hurt.

"Friendships are glued together with little kindnesses."

- American Proverb

October Character Education Theme:  Responsibility

October Color:  GREEN

The definition of responsibility is:  being accountable for your own actions.  Some classes

talk about people from history who were responsible leaders and looked at the qualities that

made the person a good leader.  To reinforce what your child is learning in school, discuss

the concept of responsibility with your child.  Share with your child some of the many ways

in which adults show responsibility (going to work, taking care of a home, raising children, etc.).

If you child has chores to do, explain that chores help children learn to handle responsibility

so that they are better prepared when they grow up.

November Character Education Theme:  Citizenship

November Color:  PURPLE

Good citizenship means doing your best for your school, community and country.  Students may

show good citizenship by taking part in activities to make their school and community better.

During Red Ribbon Week, Ironia students collect hundreds of cans of food to donate to the

Randolph Food Pantry to benefit those in need.  Activities such as these may be reinforced at

home and in our community.  Many of our classrooms will take the opportunity of Election Day

to teach that good citizens participate in our democratic system by voting.

December Character Education Theme:  Caring

December Color:  RED

Caring means feeling and exhibiting concern and empathy for others.  The truth is that we have

many people that care and want to see us succeed.  At Ironia, our teachers and staff care about

us and our friends.  At home, those who care for us are neighbors, family and most of all, our

parents.  We all have many people who care about us.  But what can you do?

Are You a Caring Person?

Are you sensitive to people's feelings?

Do you treat people with kindness and generosity?

Do you think about how your actions will affect others?

Do you try not to be mean or hurtful?

Do you help people in need?

January Character Education Theme:  Diversity / Tolerance

January Color:  LIGHT BLUE

In the words of Juan Mascara, "Each of us is a unique event in the universe."  There are billions

of human beings in the world and no two are exactly alike.  Being tolerant and understanding of

those differences is our educational goal for the month.

When children (and grownups) feel safe, respected and accepted for who they are - regardless

of race, color, religion, the foods they eat, the clothes they wear, their country of origin - they

are happier and their academic performance can improve.

Let's all work together to keep our school a place where . . .

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We don't all have to be the same.

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We like it that people are different.

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We have the right to be ourselves.

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We honor different ways of being, acting and believing.

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We do our best to solve problems peacefully.

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We speak up if we see others being treated unfairly.

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We treat each others the way we wish to be treated.

February Character Education Theme:  Trustworthiness / Honesty

February Color:  BLUE

Have you ever noticed how happy it makes others when we do the right thing like holding the door

open for someone who has an armful of books . . . or pitching in to help when it is not expected?

Our children show trustworthiness by being respectful to parents, teachers and friends.  Every day

in our school we see examples of students who are honest, hard working and fulfilling promises

made to themselves and others.  As parents and educators, we can encourage trustworthiness by

recognizing students who exhibit good character and good behavior choices.

March Character Education Theme:  Courage

March Color:  ORANGE

Courage may be many things.  It may be bravery under extreme conditions or emergencies.  It

may be overcoming a difficult physical challenge.  It may be conquering fears, coping with dangers,

overcoming difficulties.  Courage may be saying no to friends.  It may be standing up for someone

who is being bullied.  Courage may be deciding not to act in some way that might hurt yourself or

others.  Sometimes it take courage to try something for the first time or learning something new.

"You cannot discover new oceans until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore."

--Anonymous

April Character Education Theme:  Respect for Self, Others & the Earth

April Color:  YELLOW

Respect is a critical element in all healthy relationships.  When students respect others, they treat

people with consideration and courtesy.  Respect for others should be woven into the fabric of

each student's life and characterize all of their relationships.  It is a fundamental character trait

that prepares students to live productive lives as they relate to and work with others.

1-

Give praise and recognition to others whenever it is deserved.

2-

Encourage children to participate in events that promote a healthy, safe lifestyle.

3-

Give criticism without attacking character.  Criticize the behavior, not the person.

4-

Show others that they are important to you.  Spend time with others and talk

about their activities.  Share who you are with them and give them time to

share with you.

5-

Be an active listener.

6-

Treat others the way that you would like to be treated.

May Character Education Theme:  Teamwork / Fairness

May Color:  BROWN

From performing in the Spring Concert to participating in field day, cooperation and teamwork

are the essence of May in the Randolph Elementary Schools.  The definition of teamwork is to

to be willing to work or act together for the common purpose or benefit.

Just about everyone has seen a championship team play.  What would happen if one person

tried to play all the positions?  He or she would probably get worn out very quickly and the team

would lose the game.  Everyone has different strengths and skill levels.  You might be good at

one thing while someone else might be good at something else.  Through teamwork, all those

strengths and skills can be used to the team's advantage.  The next time you are playing a game

or working on a class project, remember to be cooperative.  It's the best way to get things done!

In the words of Helen Keller, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."

June Character Education Theme:  Peace / Hope

June Color:  WHITE

"The Grand essentials of happiness are:  something to do, something to love and something to

hope for."  -- Allan Chalmers

The word hope means to trust that what has been prepared for, will or should happen; to expect,

anticipate, wish and have faith with hopefulness; look forward to; inspired.  The word peace is the

freedom from disagreement or quarrels; harmony; concord an undisturbed state of mind; absence

of mental conflict; serenity.

Both of these feelings are essential in our lives.  With hope we anticipate and look forward to

something in the future.  Perhaps we hope for a family vacation, relaxation, or even the

opportunity of a new school year.  With peace, we look for freedom from conflict with others

as well as harmony in our lives.

updated:  08/16/10