Principal's Quest

Kindness

Kindness – being friendly, helpful and generous.

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation  defines kindness in many ways but I want to share this one definition they provided:

Kindness is empowering. Kindness is one of the most powerful interpersonal tools that we, as human beings, use to connect with one another. When we sense someone's need, we either choose to help in some way…or we choose not to. If we act from empathy, we will offer kindness, and in that moment a surprising, gracious, humanitarian connection is made. This is the positive power that each of us — including children — possesses.

I know I could not say that better!

This website is one of the best I have seen. It has so many good things on it that I thought the best way to talk about kindness would be to highlight a few of the great educational resources they provide. Teachers, I want to encourage you to take a look at it. You will find many activities that you could easily implement in your classroom.

• They have quotes at the top of the page that continually change. You will enjoy reading those. I certainly did.
• They have a teacher’s corner that is a gathering place to let everyone know what’s working in their schools.
• They have activity ideas for schools.
• It includes a KINDTIMES newsletter. Maybe we could publish one like this for J. H. House! Wow! You can even create a web site on kindness, send e-cards.
• They even provide great lesson plans. See this page for some activity ideas by academic subject. It is fantastic!
• It lists kindness-related books for students and teachers.

I want to conclude with a couple of activities I thought were quite unique.

They shared a song written about kindness. Here it is:

Let’s Be Kind

(to the tune of ‘Frere Jacques’)

Let’s be kind. Let’s be kind.

In our heart and in our mind.

To our family, to our friends.

May our kindness never end.

I really like that? Maybe you could make up a song about kindness and sing it to the tune of another. Give it a try and let’s practice random acts of kindness each day!! Share your acts of kindness! Share your songs!

Patriotism

Patriotism – A love and loyalty for the

United States of America

and its values.

What is patriotism? It is love and loyalty for one's country and its values. Here are a few ways we can demonstrate a patriotic attitude.

• Listen and learn from the news. Be an informed citizen. I think J. H. House students shine in this area, don’t you?

• Stand respectfully when the Pledge of Allegiance is spoken or the national anthem is sung or played. This is another area where we stand out.

• Celebrate and understand the significance of holidays. It’s important as well as fun to learn about our different holidays and how they started.

• Be proud of our democracy and our freedom in our country.

It is a sad time for our country. We are at war. There are some people in other countries who do not believe as we do. Some of these people have confused views of our freedom and democracy. Let’s try to turn that around by focusing on things that we can do, as citizens and future citizens to let them know and understand the good things about our country. Share those good things so others can understand our love for our country.  I’ll start the list.

• I am proud to live in a country that has groups like Habitat for Humanity who build homes for those who are homeless.

• I am proud that we have the freedom to vote for our leaders.

• I am proud that we can peacefully protest issues where disagree.

• I am proud of the young people in this school and elsewhere who want to understand other viewpoints and listen respectfully.

Share things that make you proud of your country.

Sportsmanship

Sportsmanship - Fair and reasonable behavior, especially in playing a sport. It is abiding by the rules of a contest and accepting victory or defeat graciously.

What is sportsmanship?  It is playing by the rules, considering the feelings of others, providing encouragement, being honest, having self-control, using teamwork, showing respect for your opponents, and being cooperative.

We have seen an increase in distressing incidents in youth sports and professional sports as young people and adults alike often participate in inappropriate behavior.  I hope this will change. You can help that change come about by being a good role model.

Sportsmanship is about character, values, personal responsibility, learning how to win and how to lose graciously, and how to control frustration and anger. It is being a good citizen.

Let’s think about sportsmanship. Do some good thinking here. I found a wonderful website that asks some good though-provoking questions about sportsmanship. Go to the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center and pick one of the questions to answer. Be sure to tell us the number of the question when you answer and use complete sentences. I can’t wait to see your answers!

Courage

Courage is a willingness to face your fears with determination.

Courage is facing your fears and walking through them. Many refer to courage in terms of deeds. It is not just deeds. Courage is a way of life. Courage is when you are afraid but you face your fears and keep on going. You don’t have to be heroic or big and tough. It just means you don’t give up. It means you stand up for what is right, even if others around you are trying to talk you in to something you know is wrong. It means you speak the truth, even when friends may get mad at you. Courage is having a belief in yourself. It means you will try things even though they are hard.

I see students and staff daily at J. H. House who show courage. Let me give you an example:

Juan spoke the truth about something he did that he should not have done. He had the courage to admit his mistakes and the courage to learn from it and not make the same mistake again.

Now you need some strategies to develop courage. Remember the book, “The Little Engine That Could”? He kept trying and kept trying and kept trying. You can keep trying when things are a little hard.

Sometimes if you are afraid you can say things to yourself to give you courage. Examples are:

……….I can do this.

……….I’m calm and in control.

……….This is just my imagination. I will not be afraid.

……….Just say no!

……….I’m sticking to my beliefs!

……….Good friends would not try to make me do something I know is wrong.

……….It’s the right thing to do and I will not back down!

If you repeat calming phrases to yourself, it can help you build your courage! Sometimes just taking a deep breath and moving forward can help.

Now can you spotlight J. H. House students and staff who show courage?  Also, please share if you have some good strategies that help you have courage.