Character Education

The Springdale School District strongly believes that students who are most likely to succeed at school are also students who have many traits associated with good character. For that purpose, we established a district-wide focus on character traits that will enhance student achievement. Our "Character Education" program involves the reinforcement of good character traits through the use of common vocabulary that highlights behaviors that encourage good citizenship.
Character education works best when the whole community embraces it. We invite and encourage parents, patrons and the business community to join us in this important effort.
"Good character is that quality which makes one dependable whether being watched or not, which makes one truthful when it is to one's advantage to be a little less truthful, which makes one courageous when faced with great obstacles, which endows one with the firmness of wise self-discipline." Arthur S. Adams

August/September

Self-Discipline - exercising control over one's own emotions and actions

Responsibility - to be accountable for own behavior

Book Recommendations Miss Nelson in Missing, Miss Nelson is Back, The Little Red Hen, Keep the Lights Burning, Abby

October

Cooperation - getting along with others and working together

Initiative - taking responsible action on your own without prompting from others

Book Recommendations Follow the Drinking Gourd, Jumanji, A Chair for my Mother, Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti

November

Thankfulness - being grateful and saying so

Humility - modesty; absence of self-pride

Book Recommendations The Thanksgiving Story, The Children's Book of Heroes "Mother Theresa" and "Honest Abe"

December

Generosity - an unselfish attitude; willing to share with others

Empathy - feeling for another's need and helping that one without expecting anything in return

Book Recommendations Rainbow Fish, The Selfish Giant,

January

Patience - waiting with a happy spirit

Compassion - feeling for another's need and helping that one without expecting anything in return

Book Recommendations Everybody Takes Turns, Leo the Late Bloomer, Miss Maggie, Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon, The Diary of Ann Frank

February

Honesty - truthful words and ways

Integrity - confirmed virtue and uprightness of character

Book Recommendations Ivan the Great, Pinocchio, The Berenstain Bears and the Truth, Ivan the Great

March

Courtesy - the act of kindness and civility

Thoughtfulness - consideration of others; courtesy

Book Recommendations Lyle, Lyle Crocodile, The Lion and the Mouse, The Berenstain Bears Forget Their Manners, Excuse Me! Certainly

April

Perseverance - continue to work hard and persist toward the goal even when obstacles and difficulties arise

Determination - to continue on, regardless of the circumstances

Book Recommendations Horton Hatches the Egg, Serendipity, Tortoise and the Hare, Amazing Grace, Double or Nothing

May

Respect - a high or special regard; honor one another

Self-control - doing something even when I do not feel like it

Book Recommendations Sneetches, The Reluctant Dragon, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, Thundercake