Superintendent’s Chat

Richard McClements, Shonto Preparatory School

 

Once upon a time, a man’s integrity, character, and honesty were so important that most would never compromise themselves.   A man’s word meant something.   Contracts were often sealed simply by a handshake .  Honor was too precious to compromise by deception, lies, or half-truths.  We have a president whom I believe is a man of integrity, but there are so many other figures in politics, sports, entertainment, religion, and business who leave me frustrated.  One country singer currently has a hit song out entitled, “Celebrities.”  His drift is that famous people are “too big” to be held accountable for anything they do, and the worse their character, the more popular they become in the eyes of the public. 

 

We are beginning the transition to the Chugach Schools model which will include as many as 12 major focus areas for our students.  One of those focus areas will deal with “Personal/Social/Health.”  We hope to instill solid qualities for personal life.  Students will have to demonstrate increasing levels of integrity, values, and character. 

 

While our standards will vary somewhat from what the Chugach Schools measure, to graduate from that district requires that every student reach Level V out of VIII possible levels.  This is what is expected from Chugach’s first two levels: *

 

Level I

  • Understands what it means to be a good student.
  • Lists positive/healthy free time activities.
  • Identifies ways to make friends and keep them (don’t lie, hit, or steal:  share, smile, talk.
  • Practices using good manners (uses “please”, “thank you”. “excuse me”, etc.)
  • Participates in a class play or other similar project  that fosters attendance, cooperation, sharing, self-control, responsibility, and listening.
  • Recites fire, earthquake, and water safety principles and who to call in an emergency.
  • Names harmful substances.
  • Practices fine and gross motor skills.

 

Taken from A Guide to Reinventing Schools by Rick Schreiber and Wendy Battino,  Alaskan Litho, 2002.  p. 266

 

 

Level II

  • Defines and demonstrates honesty and responsibility (prepared for class, call if you will be late, clean up work area.)
  • Defines and demonstrates respect for self, others, and property.
  • Understands the importance of setting goals.
  • Shows skills to stay on task and completes tasks on time.
  • Demonstrates responsible sense of humor.
  • Chooses positive/healthy free-time activities.
  • Participates willingly and shows positive attitude.
  • Describes different kinds of relationships (family, social, professional, etc.).
  • Practices skills to interact with adults (takes turns speaking, respect, manners, eye contact).
  • Applies skills to make and keep friends.
  • Shares, in a class presentation, a personal involvement in a positive/healthy free-time activity.
  • Describes potential hazards at home, school, and in the community and ways to avoid them (poisons, fire, earthquake).
  • Recognizes benefits of good personal hygiene traits, nutritious diet, and exercise.
  • Explains how medications can be helpful and harmful, as well as problems incurred with excessive amount of any substance.
  • Identifies good/bad touches.

 

You can imagine the expectations included in Level V.  The point is we will have very high expectations for student behavior.  If you work with us, and students make a conscientious effort to address the learning standards for each level, our campus should be a pretty wonderful place for students, staff, and parents.

 

Parents, you can help by holding your children accountable for what they do and don’t do at home and in school.  If you can accomplish the first two levels as part of your focus, we will be off to a great start.

 

Students, make a commitment to begin tomorrow in which you tell nothing but the truth to your friends, your teachers, and your parents.  Once you make it through one day; start again on the next day.  One of the best things that anyone can say about you is that you are honest and that your word means something.  You will get that kind of respect once you have shown you are worthy of it.