Character Education in the Lower School

The Hackley Lower School Character Education program was designed during the summer of 2003 by a committee of Lower School faculty members. It was developed to create an even better, safer, kinder, and more supportive school environment for our students, our staff, and our community. Since the program’s inception we have obtained yearly feedback from parents and teachers to continuously enhance its effectiveness and relevance.

10 virtues are identified each year and integrated into the curriculum on a month-by-month basis. The Lower School staff selects the traits each year based on the belief that these values are central to the development of true character in a child. This year the traits selected were Appreciation, Patience, Empathy, Responsibility, Courage, Honesty, Manners, Cooperation, Perseverance, and Curiosity.

For each virtue, a teacher resource guide has been developed. The guide includes activities for the classroom, readings for each character value, and suggestions for including a parent component. This resource has been compiled from a plethora of sources, including Creating Classrooms and Homes of Virtue by Margaret D. Walding and Kids with Character by Maureen Duran.

Each year we kick off the program with an all school assembly where students and faculty perform a skit to introduce the first virtue. These assemblies then occur each month and focus on looking back at the previous month's character trait and on introducing the next month's value. Fun and exciting activities take place at these all school gatherings.

Parents are informed about the program through monthly letters and through school visits. The letters include information about the assemblies along with suggested activities and readings for the particular month's virtue. Most of the books are now available at the lower school library and can be taken out at your convenience. The Character Education Committee looks forward to ongoing collaboration with colleagues and parents in our endeavor!

If you have any questions or comments about the program please feel free to contact Eve Kleeger, Character Education Committee Chair, by phone at 914-366-2667 or by e-mail at ekleeger@hackleyschool.org