Character Education at Waimea Country School

Pono

Pono is our school-wide theme and infuses all we do.

• I control myself.

• I respect myself and others.

• I am safe and responsible.

 

We believe that moral character shapes the course of a student’s life more than any specific academic skill. The School, therefore, provides a values-based curriculum as a companion to our academic curriculum in order to create a balanced school environment where students are encouraged to grow socially and emotionally, as well as intellectually.

Children need to be exposed to strong moral values and be expected to behave correctly in order to grow into morally strong adults. Common courtesy and good manners are traits we foster. Attending to the moral development of children is woven into all we do.

We highlight specific monthly values over a two-year cycle. Discussions, sharing stories from other cultures, highlighting individuals of strong moral character, and various practical applications, such as community service projects, are some of the initiatives that help define our program.

In addition, monthly values inform weekly ‘Ohana Meetings that each class takes turns leading. This is a venue for sharing insights about the month’s value in a class presentation format — reader’s theater, songs, videos, artwork, skits, and so on. Thus the monthly values move beyond merely a poster on the wall to a meaningful, integrated affirmation infused into daily life at the school.

In the first year, students study:

In the second year, students expand their character development by learning about:

Parental input is key. The long term success of our Character Education Program often depends on how successful the School and the family are able to work together to meet the needs of the children.

Families are welcome and encouraged to use the language of pono, and our monthly values, outside of school to reinforce the life skills and concepts taught at school.

 

 

 

 

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