Middle-Schoolers Grasp 6 Pillars of Character
Chatham Middle School celebrated Character Counts Week, October 19th through October 23rd. Character Counts Week is celebrated by 4 million youth in more than 50 countries. It is a week of learning and using the Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness (Blue), Respect (Yellow), Responsibility (Green), Fairness (Orange), Caring (Red), and Citizenship (Purple).
On Friday morning, October 16th, The Show of Love presented a kick off assembly with ‘Put Yourself In Another Person’s Shoes’.
Students used classroom meeting time after viewing the assembly to make a list of what defines them (right). They used the information about themselves to think about “Push Buttons” that cause them to get angry and had discussions about the different things that might spark our anger toward one another.
On Monday, day one of Character Counts Week, students were given paper shoes in the colors of the Six Pillars (left) and were asked to write about a time they used one of the pillars to put themselves in someone else’s shoes and how it helped them become more tolerant of that person’s differences.
On day two students were given the opportunity in lunch to take an Anti-Bullying Pledge. (below)
Students wrote their names on paper saying they pledged not to bully and were given a card to sign and carry with them that stated they would do their part to put an end to bullying.
On day three, in the cafeteria, members of the P.E.A.C.E. Club went around the lunch room asking students to name the Six Pillars. If they could name all six their name was entered in a random drawing to win Six Pillar rubber bracelets presented by Mr. Fitting, Middle School Principal. (left)
On day four, in the cafeteria, students filled out “Wings of Hope” messages for Mrs. Hess, CMS Guidance Secretary and 10-year survivor of breast cancer. (Right)
Mrs. Hess was about to participate in a 60-mile walk for the cause in Florida and brought with her each message the students and staff wrote.
Messages were made into booklets for her. On the last day of Character Counts Week students purchased pink ribbons and memory hearts for cancer sufferers, victims and survivors. All donations were given to the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
The week-long projects were presented to the students by members of the Character P.E.A.C.E. Club (Promoters, Educators and Advocates for Character Education) and by volunteer seventh and eighth grade students supporting breast cancer awareness. A bulletin board outside the office was created as each project took place. (right)