BE RESPECTFUL!

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE RESPECTFUL?

At its heart, being respectful means showing that you value other people's perspectives, time, and space.  Respect is how you feel about someone and how you treat them.  It’s thinking and acting in a positive way about yourself or others. You are being respectful when you think and act in a way that shows others you care about their feelings and well-being. When you want to be respectful, try putting yourself in another person’s shoes and then, behave in a way that shows you care. Showing respect for others both face-to-face and through electronic communication will include such things as not calling people mean names, treating people with courtesy, caring enough about yourself that you don't do things you know can hurt yourself or someone else.

 

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE TO BE RESPECTFUL? 

1. Showing kindness and courtesy. Being respectful starts with a basic consideration of the feelings of others. Ask yourself how you would want to be treated in a given situation and make an effort to treat other people that way. Treat everyone you encounter—strangers on the street, coworkers, classmates, and family members with respect and courtesy.
2. Being polite. The concept of etiquette and good manners seems pointless when you're a kid, but when you grow up you realize that these customs function as a way to keep society running smoothly. Practicing good manners is a way to be respectful of other people's space and time. If no one bothered being polite, everyday situations like eating in a restaurant, waiting in line at the post office, or dealing with bad traffic would be completely intolerable.
3. Refusing to discriminate. Be respectful to everyone—not just people you know or those you perceive as having a higher status than you. Some people discriminate by showing respect for people upon whom they want to make a good impression and being rude to everyone else. There is truth in the saying, "You can judge the character of others by how they treat those who can do nothing for them or to them." Be kind to everyone, regardless of who they are, what they look like, or what their relationship is to you.
4. Respecting differences in belief and opinion. Be respectful to people who are different from you, even if you don't understand them very well. The differences among us are what make life interesting. Besides, you probably have more in common with people than you know. Even when you really don't see where someone else is coming from, be courteous and civil. You don't have to love everyone you meet, and you certainly don't have to agree with them, but you can still show them respect. Be respectful of others, no matter their cultural, religious, and/or political beliefs.

 

EXAMPLES OF BEING RESPECTFUL:

You comply with established rules, procedures, and policies at school and at home. You are quiet in a classroom, showing that you care about or respect others' needs to think or read without interruption. You don't call people names or make threats because you care about their feelings. You keep your hands to yourself, showing respect for the personal space of others. You dress, speak and act in a way that shows you care about what you know is right and safe for yourself and others. You accept other people's rights to look, think, or act differently than you because you care about their feelings and well-being.

 

NON-NEGOTIABLES FOR BEING RESPECTFUL:

Students who have this trait work cooperatively with their peers; respect the opinions, thoughts, and feelings of everyone around them; are sensitive to everyone and work to treat everyone as they want to be treated; use appropriate comments/language, focus on de-escalating situations; and try to uplift others.

Employees who have this trait understand that building positive relationships with students, other employees, and parents is the basis on which everything else is built; have positive supportive interactions with every student; maintain the dignity of their students at all times and create an atmosphere of trust, respect, and kindness; use appropriate comments and language, focus on de-escalating situations; and try to uplift others.

BE COMPASSIONATE!

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE COMPASSIONATE?

Being compassionate and kind is closely related to empathy. While empathy refers more generally to the ability to take the perspective of and to feel the emotions of another person. Compassion includes the desire to take actions that will alleviate another person’s distress. Kindness and compassion are positive qualities that shape relationships between people and help create caring communities. Kindness is a tendency to feel concern for others, empathy refers more generally to our ability to take the perspective of another person and feel their emotions, and compassion goes one step further. Compassion includes the desire to take actions that will alleviate a person’s suffering and care for the physical environment as well.  Compassion literally means “to suffer together.” As we enhance our ability to really see and feel what is around us, our ability to experience compassion grows.

 

WHAT DOES COMPASSION LOOK LIKE?

A child demonstrates compassion and kindness when acting on the feelings of concern. This might include spontaneously helping others (e.g. picking up objects that another child has dropped), trying to stop quarrels, saying kind things, helping a person who is sick or hurt, and inviting others to join in a game or activity.  Students with compassion will report when they observe other students being teased or bullied at school. Researchers have demonstrated that empathy and compassion can provide a buffer against aggressive and hurtful behaviors. When children do not feel concern for others, they may engage in harmful behaviors such as name-calling, taking things from others, hitting, pushing, or teasing. They will not spontaneously offer to help another person who is sick or hurt.

 

NON-NEGOTIABLES FOR BEING COMPASSIONATE:

Students who have this trait can relate to others even though they may not share the same life experiences or problems; can relate to their classmates; are not judgmental or condescending, but supportive and understanding; will reach out to help others when they see them struggling; will many times try to put themselves in the other person’s shoes to try and understand their struggle; and will act to help others who are struggling.

Employees who have this trait can look beyond the walls of their classroom to assess and meet their students’ needs; recognize that some students live a difficult life outside of school and try to figure out solutions for helping those students and families; and try to put themselves in the other person’s shoes in order to understand their struggle and take action to assist them.

BE GREAT!

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE GREAT?

Being great means you always give your very best. It doesn’t mean you are perfect, but you strive to reach your full potential. Being great means even when you face adversity, you press on and you don’t give up. Being great is not average. Being great is not just doing your job. Being great is giving it your very best effort despite the challenges you may face! Educating students directly or indirectly is not an easy job. In fact, it is very difficult; however, the rewards are great! Knowing you had some part in helping a child be his/her BEST is the most rewarding thing we can contribute to the world we live in today!

 

WHAT DOES GREATNESS LOOK LIKE?

Showing up every day and doing your best! Being accountable for your actions and carrying out tasks that have been assigned in a timely manner. Having the ability to fight through adversity without giving up to accomplish a goal. Having the ability to move beyond a situation in which you were wronged without feeling resentment or holding a grudge. Having the ability to be strong in spirit, to be courageous and brave. Being a team player and working well with others. Having the ability to make the most of what you have available to solve a problem or make it through a situation. Having a “GROWTH MINDSET” – always trying to get better at what you do and taking advantage of opportunities to make you a better person.

 

NON-NEGOTIABLES FOR BEING GREAT:

Students who have this trait can complete and turn in every assignment on time; follow a prescribed schedule, refuse to give in to distractions, and stay on task; take the tools they have been given and make the most out of their abilities; are goal oriented, and do not let anything get in the way of them accomplishing their goals; let things go and not hold grudges when they have been wronged; and can battle through adversity, stand up for others, and are strong-minded individuals who don’t follow the crowd.

Employees who have this trait will do anything to be the best they can be at their jobs; will not let anything get in the way of educating their students; will make difficult decisions; will be advocates for students; are highly reliable, dependable and trustworthy, adding value to the mission of educating all students; reflect on their work every day making changes and improvements; are continuously growing, learning, and improving; and can work closely with colleagues, parents, students, and administrators with whom they may have had a conflict and move beyond the situation, letting go of feelings of resentment.  No matter what role you play in our school system, be GREAT at it!