Character Counts

“We will embrace and practice good character by demonstrating trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.”

The Bosco System has implemented the Character Counts! Program for the K-8 units with plans to further implement this program system wide in the future, including athletics.

Character Counts! promotes and teaches the Six Pillars of Character:
Trustworthiness
Respect
Responsibility
Fairness
Caring
Citizenship

The program will provide our youth with the assets and skills to become productive members of our community. We plan to integrate character education into all programs and encourage families to make choices according to the Six Pillars of Character.

Each month students will focus on one of the six pillars, and will participate in various activities within their units.

THE SIX PILLARS
TRUSTWORTHINESS  
Be honest. Don’t deceive, cheat or steal. Be reliable – do what you say you’ll do. Have the courage to do the right thing. Build a good reputation. Be loyal – stand by your family, friends and country.

RESPECT  
Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule. Be tolerant of differences. Use good manners, not bad language. Be considerate of the feelings of others. Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone. Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements.

RESPONSIBILITY  
Do what you are supposed to do. Persevere: keep on trying! Always do your best. Use self-control. Be self-disciplined. Think before you act – consider the consequences. Be accountable for your choices.

FAIRNESS  
Play by the rules. Take turns and share. Be open-minded; listen to others. Don’t take advantage of others. Don’t blame others carelessly.

CARING  
Be kind. Be compassionate and show you care. Express gratitude. Forgive others. Help people in need.

CITIZENSHIP  
Do your share to make your school and community better. Cooperate. Stay informed; vote. Be a good neighbor. Obey laws and rules. Respect authority. Protect the environment.

Why teach “character”?
A person’s “character” is the summation of his or her habits, attitudes and attributes. Because those qualities are learned, they can also be purposely taught. And they should be – because good character doesn’t happen automatically, and it’s too important to be left to chance. The effectiveness and well-being of individuals, their organizations and their society depend on it.

Whose job is character education?
It is always primarily a parent’s job to teach a child how to behave and make wise choices, but other institutions and adults working with young people play critical support roles. We will provide various resources and materials to parents throughout this program.

CHARACTER COUNTS!
IN THE BOSCO SYSTEM