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Character Pledge

I pledge to be a Kid for CHARACTER. I will be worthy of TRUST. I will be RESPECTFUL and RESPONSIBLE, doing what I must. I will always act with FAIRNESS. I will show that I CARE. I will be a good CITIZEN, and always do my share.

Thoughts become WORDS,

WORDS become ACTION,

ACTIONS become CHARACTER.

CHARACTER is EVERYTHING!

CHARACTER COUNTS! is the most widely implemented approach to character education. It's a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nonsectarian framework that teaches the Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

Character Counts Commentary

Nine Promises tht Bring Happiness
Taken from: Michael Josephson Character Counts Commentary

Abraham Lincoln said, "Generally, people are as happy as they are willing to be." [Corrected wording: See letters about our original misquote in readers' comments below.] His point: Happiness doesn't depend on what we have or what happens to us; it depends on what we think about what we have and what happens in us.

The great teacher-coach John Wooden said, "We seek happiness in the wrong places and in the wrong form. The primary cause of unhappiness is simply wanting too much, overemphasizing the material things. Happiness begins where selfishness ends."

His strategy to find happiness is to make and keep nine promises:

1. Promise to talk about health, happiness, and prosperity as often as possible.

2. Promise to make all your friends know there is something in them that is special and that you value.

3. Promise to think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best in yourself and others.

4. Promise to be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

5. Promise to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

6. Promise to forget the mistakes of the past and press on to greater achievements in the future.

7. Promise to wear a cheerful appearance at all times and give every person you meet a smile.

8. Promise to give so much time improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

9. Promise to be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit trouble to press on you.

Stephanie Jones
Bales Intermediate Counselor
281-482-8255

Learning From the Pigeons

During an experiment, pigeons were put in cages with one green and one red button. In one cage, the birds that pecked the green button got food every time. In the other, the green button yielded food erratically and the pigeons had to persist to get enough food. In both cases, pecking the red button did nothing. Both sets of birds thrived, learning what they had to do to survive and to ignore the red button that yielded no food.

But when the birds that were used to getting a reward every time were put in the cage that fed them only occasionally, they failed to adapt. They hit their heads against the cage and pecked wildly at everything in sight.

There are two worthwhile lessons from this study:

First, the pigeons quickly learned from experience to avoid the red button because it was unproductive. There are lots of people who would lead smoother and happier lives if they just stopped pushing red buttons that never give them what they want.

Second, even birds that have it too easy get spoiled and develop an entitlement mentality that prevents them from adapting to situations where they can solve their problems if they just work harder. Some people are like that, too. They don't deal well with new circumstances, especially those that require persistence.

Part of being responsible is learning from experience to appreciate the benefits of tenacity and the wisdom of avoiding useless, harmful, and self-defeating patterns of behavior.

Taken from: Character Counts Commentary

by Michael Josephson, founder of Josephson Institute

What You Do Is What You'll Get

Taken from: Character Counts Josephson Institute Character Commentry

If you want to help your children do well in life, there are a few things you can do. A high proportion of high achievers have two things in common:

First, there are lots of books in their homes and a great emphasis on reading.

Second, there is a family tradition of regularly eating dinner together.

Filling a house with books surrounds children with endless and varied opportunities and challenges to explore and learn. Books provide knowledge and the seeds of wisdom, and great stories teach about morality and character.

Eating dinner together assures that parents have an opportunity to participate in their kids' day-to-day lives and help shape the way they think and react. Coordinating schedules so the family eats together often requires a conscious effort to elevate family time above other things. The effort itself can instill in children a sense of belonging.

But we can do more to offset the bad influences our kids are exposed to than promote reading and family discussions. Remember, everything we do to or in front of our children matters. What we allow, we encourage. And what we do ourselves teaches our children how to live and conveys powerful messages about values.

So be sensitive as to what you say and how you say it, what you read, and what you watch on TV. Be especially careful in the way you handle relationships and deal with emotions like disappointment, anger, and frustration.

That's because what you do is what you'll get.

This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.

Tips for Parents

Be a Role Model
Actions speak louder than words. Convey your values by living your life the way you want your child to live his/hers. Set a good example by keeping your attitude positive, showing your love and respect for others, handling stress and anger with self-control and demonstrating resourcefulness.

Communicate
Communicating involves both talking and listening. Speak to your child in a simple, direct, sincere manner. Pay careful attention so that you can understand your child's thoughts and feelings. Restate in your own words what your child says to show you are listening. Strengthen your communication by being open and nonjudgmental. Think before you speak, and explain your point of view clearly.

Teach Responsibility
Learning responsible behavior will help your child develop confidence, independence and the ability to meet life's demands. Set an example by being responsible in everything you do. Give your child age-appropriate tasks or chores. Set clear expectations and let your child deal with the consequences of his/her actions.

Love Unconditionally
Take advantage of every chance to show your child your love. Here are some suggestions:
* Set aside special time for your child.
* Get involved in your child's activities and plan activities that include your child.
* Love your child all the time, not only for doing something that pleases you.
* Praise your child often and sincerely with words like "wonderful", "terrific", and "special."
* Use nonverbal communication ­ hugs, kisses, tender touches.

Discipline with Love
Don't hesitate to set down rules, say "no" and discipline when needed. When you reprimand, focus on the behavior, not the child. Avoid flying off the handle, spanking or yelling. Discipline with love and consequences that fit the broken rule. This way, you teach your child constructive ways to handle anger and frustration. By all means, be consistent! If your child misbehaves:
* Act promptly.
* Match consequences with deeds.
* Follow through on your words.
* Keep emotions under control.
* Don't embarrass your child.
* Remind your child of your love.
Praising and rewarding good behavior will reinforce the values you want your child to learn.

Encourage Social Skills
Use real-life opportunities to teach your child how to interact with others. Compliment good manners and praise sharing with others. Emphasize the importance of listening when others speak, and respecting the feelings of others.

Make Your Home Safe
Help your child feel physically and emotionally safe. Keep your home free of hazards to your child's safety or health. Teach your child the proper rules of safety and health. Choose babysitters with care, making sure your child is comfortable with them and they know what to do in emergencies. Lastly, never threaten to abandon your child ­ not as a joke, and not in a fit of frustration over his/her behavior.

I Just Have to Outrun You

During a camping trip, Sam and Tom saw a bear coming their way. Sam dropped his backpack and told Tom he was going to run for it.

His surprised friend said, "You can't outrun a bear."

Sam replied, "I don't have to outrun the bear. I just have to outrun you."

Sadly, this "look-out-for-number-one" mentality is a common approach in business, politics, and sports. Basically good people routinely engage in and justify selfish, short-sighted conduct that treats coworkers, colleagues, and teammates as competitors rather than comrades.

In Steven Carr Reuben's book Children of Character, he writes about a very different social vision where people find greater meaning and satisfaction in their life by creating caring communities. To make his point, he tells of nine boys and girls in the Special Olympics who were competing in the 100-yard dash.

Just as the race started, one of the boys stumbled, fell, and started to cry. The other eight heard him and looked back. First one, then another, then all of them stopped running and went back to help their fallen comrade.

One of the runners, a girl with Down syndrome, bent down and kissed the fallen boy. "This will make it better," she said.

All nine then linked arms and triumphantly walked together to the finish line. "That," Reuben wrote, "is what being part of a community is really about."

It's a lot better way to live than trying to outrun each other.

Taken from: Michael Josephson Commentary of the Josephson Institute of Ethics

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