1. A Culture Of Kindness at Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Where all students, staff, and families are treated with dignity and respect.

2. What Is A Culture Of Kindness?
A culture of kindness focuses on teaching the difference between tattling and telling, performing small acts of kindness, and validating and rewarding behavior that promotes positive character development.
A school climate that promotes a tolerant inclusive environment where kindness is the cornerstone of our daily lives.
An environment that brings out the best in students, sets high standards, holds students, parents, and community members accountable, and celebrates successes of everyone.

3. Why Create A Culture Of Kindness and Respect?
Develops and improves social awareness.
Promotes the basic foundation of character development.
Teaches life skills and empathy for others.

4. The Culture Of Kindness and Respect At TJ
We offer the following activities and programs:
Peer Mediation Program.
Student Ambassador Program.
TJ Big Brother/Big Sister Mentor Program.
iCare Club – Kindness Club.
Paws and Claws – Animal Advocacy Club.
Beta Club
Reporting boxes in TJ Office and Counseling Corner.
Designated safe zone for all students.
Learning activities for all students to experience and practice empathy and respect.
Character education activities that encourage prosocial skills such as listening, empathy, respect, kindness, and conflict resolution skills.
Student Senate Club offers a pathway for students to voice their concerns.
Assemblies and programs that promote and teach kindness and respect.
Kindness Pledge
Leadership opportunities for students to develop and improve their skills to help others.

5. “JAGUAR WAY” Jaguar Expectations: Respect Everyone Respect Learning
Respect the Environment
“You must always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think”
–Winnie the Pooh

6. What Can Parents Do To Help Create A Culture Of Respect and Kindness?
Support your school staff by showing respect and kindness.
Promote participation in school activities and clubs.
Be a good role model. Teach and practice empathy each day. Be alert to “teachable moments.”
Teach manners and encourage your child to use manners.
Encourage your child to communicate with adults and other children face to face without access to cell phones or social networking technology.
Provide and encourage volunteer experiences and caring opportunities.
Be aware of your language around your child.
Be aware of what shows they watch, their internet involvement, who they hang around with, and how they spend their time after school.
Celebrate their achievements and successes, in addition to helping them be accountable for how they treat and respect themselves as well as others.

7. What Can Our Community Do To Create a Culture Of Kindness and Respect?
Provide opportunities for students to volunteer and provide services to give back to their community.
Provide community events that encourage kindness and respect.
Recognize students that honor respect, kindness, and other character count traits.
Create a strong school and community partnership.
“You can’t stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you, you have to go to them sometimes”
-Winnie the Pooh

8. Kindness … Pass It On Make a new friend Respect others Share a snack
Leave a thank you note
Do a favor
Encourage a friend
Celebrate something new each day
Forgive
Donate your gently used clothes
Eat lunch with someone new
Say hello
Smile
Open a door
Say thank you and please
Respect your elders
Thank your teacher
Pick up litter
Help a student make friends
Do a kind act daily
Be tolerant
Bake cookies to share
Follow the golden rule

9. Kindness
No kind action ever stops with itself. One kind action leads to another. Good example is followed. A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves.
~ Amelia Earhart