GRANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHARACTER COUNTS GRANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Six Pillars of Character The CHARACTER COUNTS! approach to character education doesn't exclude anyone. The Pillars are six ethical values that everyone can agree on. Simply put, it helps kids make better choices to make everyone’s life better.

TRUSTWORTHINESS NOVEMBER Be honest Tell the truth and be honest THINK TRUE BLUE Be honest Tell the truth and be honest Do what you say you will do Have the courage to do the right thing Keep a good reputation Be loyal Stand by your family, friends and community NOVEMBER

RESPECT JANUARY Use good manners, not bad language THINK THE GOLDEN RULE Use good manners, not bad language Think about the feelings of others Treat others the way you want to be treated Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone Handle your anger and disagreements peacefully JANUARY

RESPONSIBILITY FEBRUARY Use self-control Be self-disciplined THINK SOLID LIKE A TREE Use self-control Be self-disciplined Think about the consequences before you act Be responsible for your choices Do what you are supposed to do Don’t give up, keep on trying Always do your best FEBRUARY

FAIRNESS MARCH Play by the rules Take turns and share Be open-minded THINK OF SHARING AN ORANGE Play by the rules Take turns and share Be open-minded Listen to others Don’t take advantage of others Don’t blame others carelessly MARCH

CARING APRIL Be compassionate and show you care Be kind THINK OF A HEART Be compassionate and show you care Be kind Say thank you and please Be forgiving Help people in need APRIL

CITIZENSHIP MAY Help make your school and community better THINK OF REGAL PURPLE Help make your school and community better Cooperate Be a good neighbor Obey rules of school and laws Respect authority Protect our world MAY

T R R F C C Students can use this acronym to help them remember that people with good character are terrific: T rustworthy R espect R esponsibility F airness C aring C itizenship

SHOW YOUR CHARACTER at GRANT Be a good friend and classmate. It’s who you are on the inside that matters. Everything you say and do sends a message about your character. Earn Gecko Gold Cards. Turn in fifteen for a prize or enter each one into a raffle for a chance at a prize. Be selected by your teacher for showing honorable character. Receive an award at our monthly assemblies!

Be a Buddy Not Bully!

WHAT IS BULLYING? Bullying is hurting someone’s feelings or body on purpose. Bullying is behavior that is unwanted, serious and stops someone from learning. Bullying is repeated mean behavior done over time to purposely hurt another person. Bullying is behavior in which someone is trying to gain power over another person.

EXAMPLES OF BULLYING VERBAL –Teasing or name calling. PHYSICAL – Hitting, kicking, punching, spitting, poking or shoving. CYBERBULLYING – Sending or posting hurtful or embarrassing emails, images, on the internet, via text, or other electronic device or on social networking sites (e.g. Facebook, Twitters, etc.) SOCIAL – Spreading rumors, isolation, social exclusion, leaving people out, or forcing people to do things they don’t want to do. PHYSICAL – Hitting, kicking, punching, spitting, poking or shoving. CYBERBULLYING – Sending or posting hurtful or embarrassing emails, images, on the internet, via text, or other electronic device or on social networking sites (e.g. Facebook, Twitters, etc.) SOCIAL – Spreading rumors, leaving people out, or forcing people to do things they don’t want to do.

WHAT CAN YOU DO? TATTLING REPORTING Get someone in trouble Behavior is on accident You can handle yourself Harmless Not Important Keeps someone safe Behavior is on purpose You need adult help Someone could get hurt Important IF SAFE, STAND UP. Yes, be an upstander! It only takes one person to make a difference. You can say, “Stop, don’t bother him.” Or you could redirect the situation by saying, “Let’s go, I need to get some water.” DON’T JOIN IN. If you see someone being bullied, don’t join in. If the bully tries to get you to help, say no, not interested and walk away. Go tell someone then or later that day. STOP THE RUMORS. Don’t spread rumors. You don’t want anyone talking about you, so don’t do it to someone else! If someone gossips to you, let it end with you-don’t pass it on to others. You can even tell that person you’re not interested in spreading rumors. TELL AN ADULT. Don’t be a bystander and watch while someone is being hurt. Tell an adult about the situation. It’s not tattling or snitching to keep someone safe. You can ask the adult to keep your identity private. BE A FRIEND. Help the person who was bullied and make sure he/she is okay. Encourage him or her to talk to an adult. Go with her to report it. You can also invite that person to join you for lunch or other activities.

WHO WILL YOU BE? BULLY BYSTANDER UPSTANDER BULLY: the person(s) who commits the acts as described in the earlier slides BYSTANDER: the person(s) who witnesses the Bullying action, doesn’t actually do the bullying, but does not do anything to stop it. UPSTANDER: the person who takes action of some kind against the bullying behavior BULLY BYSTANDER UPSTANDER

GRANT is an FUN, SAFE place to go to school and LEARN. Remember to do your part. Your CHARACTER COUNTS!