Welcome back! Each year, we look forward to returning to school for so many reasons. One of the things we do at New Vistas that makes our program such a unique one is to dedicate our energies, not only to our strong academic focus, but also to the character development of our students. We all enjoy working together on common themes throughout the year. If you were here last year, you know that we worked on a program called, “The Heroes’ Journey.”

This year, our program is called, “Character Counts!” We will look at the “Six Pillars of Good Character”: Citizenship (September), Respect (October), Caring (November/December), Fairness (January/February), Trustworthiness (March) and Responsibility (April).

Character is what a person is on the inside. Our character is revealed by what we do when we think no one else is looking. It is how we treat people who we think cannot help or hurt us. A person of character has good ethical values that distinguish right from wrong and a strong commitment to do what is right even when it is inconvenient or uncomfortable. Character, in short, is moral strength. Good character does not develop spontaneously. Rather, it is the result of conscientious efforts to instill and reinforce ethical values in a way that makes them second nature.

This year, we have materials that will assist us in teaching these principles to our multiple ages of students. Preschool and kindergarten students will study these principles using activities suited to their ages. Primary and intermediate students will also have lessons and activities geared to their particular interests and development. As usual, you will always know what we are working on by:

• Reading this page in the monthly newsletter.

• Looking for posters and quotes in both the main entry halls.

• Watching for activities to come home with your students.

• And of course, talking with them and reinforcing what we are working on at school.  

September’s Theme: Citizenship

 We will begin the year by focusing on Citizenship. Citizenship is defined as, “doing your share to make your school and community a better place. Good citizens are good neighbors. They cooperate with others, obey laws and rules, and respect authority.”

To start off the year, we are going to help children develop and practice good conversational manners. We know that it is important for children to look at and acknowledge others when they are being addressed in conversation. The next, and more sophisticated conversational strategy is to be able to answer a question politely and then follow up by asking a question in return.  

For example:

Adult: “How was your summer?”

Child: “It was great. We went to Disneyland and visited my grandparents.

How was your summer?”  

Notice that the child answers the question and follows up by asking a question in return.

This skill takes a while to learn. (We all may know adults who still have not mastered it.) It is a successful way to let others know that you are interested in them, in their thoughts and opinions. It works to help you make friends and it also lets others know you are likeable and respectful of the thoughts and opinions of others.  

Welcome back everyone. I appreciate all the wonderful families who stop by my desk to say hello in the mornings. To our new friends and families, welcome aboard. I know that you will come to feel as I do each day what a wonderful place New Vistas is and how fortunate we all are to be a part of this school.

Linda McFadyen