Issue link: http://latinschool.uberflip.com/i/96437
When I first came to teach in the lower school, I was immediately attracted to the school's motto of Kindness, Manners and Civility. I believe community should be structured around a positive common thread or theme, and Kindness, Manners and Civility is the model that we all follow in the lower school. Our students are instructed on a daily basis about the importance of treating others the same way they want to be treated. As teachers, we have the responsibility to be role models. We need to show the true meaning of Kindness, Manners and Civility by building a community around morals, acceptance, respect and love. We are the people our little ones look up to, and we need to set the example for the type of community they should strive for. Kindness, Manners and Civility is not just a Latin model, but one that can travel. When it comes to Kindness, for example, our students, from their purest of cores, understand fairness and can exhibit empathy. As some of my kids have stated, "It is not fair that people are poor and don't have food." The Heifer International project, a service effort that the third grade embarked on last year, was particularly moving to me. The purpose of this outreach was for students to think of creative ways to earn money to help families in developing countries secure food and supplies. The kids took it upon themselves to talk about the importance of earning the money and not just asking for it. Some of them opened lemonade stands, did extra chores or sold bracelets. They took so much pride in raising and counting the money. A number of parents were so impressed with the kids' work ethic that they matched their earnings. In all, the third grade raised more than $700. The power of this project was that it gave students an opportunity to reach out globally and lend a hand to individuals whom they would never meet – an act of Kindness in its fullest sense. Instilling moral values within our kids is essential for them to be effective agents of change. In the lower school, our students have countless opportunities to learn tangible lessons about how to contribute positively to their community through their behaviors and actions. Being good peers, considerate friends or active participants in a service project helps them to grow but also to internalize the feeling of knowing that they are doing the RIGHT thing. On a daily basis, our students are bombarded with positive and negative imagery. With Kindness, Manners and Civility as our model, we can give them the tools to make the choices that will enrich and enhance their community and world. "We are the people our little ones look up to, and we need to set the example for the type of community they should strive for." Third graders and the funds they raised through their own initiatives for Heifer International. Latin School of Chicago 27