June Character Trait of the Month: INTEGRITY
JUNE Character Trait of the Month: INTEGRITY
What is PACE?
Partners Advancing Character Education (PACE) is a grassroots Spokane Valley initiative to promote the importance of good character through partnerships with schools, businesses, public agencies, residents, faith-based organizations and community service groups. Working from a common list of monthly character traits, partners will strive to promote and integrate each trait into the regular activities of the organization.
What is Character Education?
It is the intentional effort by schools and communities to develop in their students important qualities such as honesty, respect, responsibility and citizenship. Character education helps students to judge what is right, desire good, and then do what is right. It teaches students how to build good character traits to help improve student attitudes and academic performance, reduce and/or prevent disciplinary problems in and out of the classroom, and nurture a strong work ethic to create a productive future work force.
Who is involved?
A PACE Leadership Team formed in September 2009 and continues to grow as more individuals and organizations learn about this initiative. The team includes representatives from Avista, State Farm, Better Business Bureau, KiDDS Dental, National Football League, City of Liberty Lake, City of Spokane Valley, ITT Technical Institute, Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, Whitworth University, Millwood Presbyterian Church, Central Valley School District, East Valley School District, Freeman School District and West Valley School District. The team has also received offers of support from Clear Channel Communications, ScottGraphics and Spokane Teachers Credit Union.
What is being asked of interested businesses and organizations?
Organizations interested in joining this initiative are asked to sign a Partnership Pledge to raise awareness about the importance of good character throughout the community. Partners agree to allow PACE to list the organization’s name as a member and to support the program by implementing additional partnership actions, such as:
• Display a PACE poster in the organization’s offices and/or place of business
• Use reader-board/signage to display the character “trait of the month”
• Introduce the “trait of the month” and its definition at staff and/or public meetings
• Involve employees in the program by asking them to model the character “trait of the month” and to acknowledge visitors who model the trait
• Designate a person from the organization to act in a leadership role as a “Character Champion” who would be available to speak at school or community functions
How does it work?
Each month features a character “trait of the month” which is the focus of a multi-faceted communication, motivation and educational program for an entire month. For example, “honesty” as a trait could be addressed in a variety of ways:
• In school: Discussions of “honesty” are integrated into classroom and school-wide activities for the month, reinforced with special projects and activities, and tied to achievement awards or other positive feedback methods. Community leaders, acting as “Character Champions,” are invited to speak to illustrate the trait and motivate students.
• At home: Parents are encouraged through school materials, parent meetings, volunteer programs and visibility of the trait in their community to discuss “honesty” with their children.
• In the community: Businesses, civic organizations and community service groups are asked to support the “honesty” message through discussions, programs and various means of communications with their employees and/or members. They are asked to carry out their partnership level commitment on an on-going basis. Local college and community classes also include discussion about the importance of “honesty” with participants.
• In the media: Public service announcements are produced defining and advocating “honesty”. News releases inform the media of relevant events and activities.
What are the character traits?
Building on the character education program established in the West Valley School District in 1998, the PACE initiative adopted West Valley School District's existing 10 character traits and expanded the list through a community effort by adding two more traits to cover a full 12-month time period. The traits are:
|
Month
|
Character Trait
|
Definition
|
|
September
|
Respect
|
Recognizing, considering and properly honoring the worth of one’s self and others
|
|
October
|
Responsibility
|
Being accountable, the pursuit of excellence, and the exercise of self-control
|
|
November
|
Citizenship
|
Positively contributing to society and community as well as dutifully respecting authority and the law
|
|
December
|
Caring
|
Showing a genuine concern for the welfare of others and being a kind, supportive helper
|
|
January
|
Fairness
|
Treating people and ideas with justice and impartiality
|
|
February
|
Honesty
|
Sincerity and reverence or love for the truth
|
|
March
|
Diligence
|
Persistence, dedication and hard work
|
|
April
|
Trustworthiness
|
Inspiring complete reliability and confidence in his/her truthfulness, integrity and discretion
|
|
May
|
Courage
|
Displaying integrity in spite of obstacles and challenges
|
|
June
|
Integrity
|
Living a set of values which includes honesty, respect for others and a sense of personal responsibility
|
|
July
|
Generosity
|
Unselfish giving and sharing of resources, time and talents with others
|
|
August
|
Gratitude
|
Feeling and expressing thankful appreciation for benefits received
|
Where can I get more information about PACE and how to get involved?
Visit the PACE website at www.pacecommunity.org.
|
|
