School Culture

Wesley Elementary has adopted the Six Pillars of Character as described in the Josephson Institute’s MAKING ETHICAL DECISIONS.
 

Trustworthiness

“There is no more fundamental ethical value than honesty.” Honesty is not simply refraining from deception, as we can all remember a time when someone used a “half-truth” to convince us of something false. We will communicate honestly and without malice. We will seek to be reliable and loyal in all things—this does not mean that we will follow blindly, but that we will work together to achieve our common goal. Above all, we will act with integrity and have the courage to do the right thing, even in the face of adversity. Trustworthiness in action: Telling the truth, even if it means accepting a punishment or consequence; choosing not to cheat, steal or deceive one another; keeping your word and honoring your commitments; standing by one another as support and advisors.

Respect

Everyone has a right to be treated with dignity, regardless of who they are or what they’ve done. We have a responsibility to be the best and treat others as we would like to be treated—even when dealing with unpleasant people. Respect prohibits violence, humiliation, manipulation and exploitation. Respect in action: Following the Golden Rule; being tolerant of one another’s differences; using good manners; considering the feelings of other people; choosing not to threaten, hit, hurt or curse another; dealing peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements.

Responsibility

We make endless choices from minute to minute each day: what to wear, when to ask for help, who to trust and befriend. Being responsible means putting yourself in charge of those choices and being accountable for their consequences. Being responsible means seeking excellence and meeting expectations. Responsibility in action: Following instructions and directives; persevering through trouble spots; always doing your best; being self-disciplined and proactive; using self-control; considering the consequences before you act; being accountable for mistakes and poor decisions and learning from them.

Fairness

Most people have a basic understanding of fairness, but applying the concept in daily life can be surprisingly difficult. Essentially, fairness means adhering to a common standard without regard to your own feelings or preferences. The ability to be fair rests on creating a process for dealing with similar situations sticking to it consistently and impartially. Fairness in action: Playing by the rules; taking turns and sharing; being open-minded; listening to others; choosing not to take advantage of another’s weakness; refusing to blame or punish without grounds.

Caring

In a world that constantly tells us to “look out for Number 1,” it is sometimes easy to put our motives above the well-being of others. Caring, however, is at the heart of ethical decision-making; it is the care for humanity and seeking the common good that makes ethics possible at all. Caring in action: Being kind; greeting one another with a smile; expressing gratitude; forgiving others; helping those in need.

Citizenship

Wesley is part of a larger community, which is part of our city, state, nation and world; we are citizens of each. Good citizens know that obeying the laws important, but more important are the contributions that citizens make to society. A community is only as strong as its citizens and can only improve with their good works. Caring in action: Working to improve our school and community; cooperating; getting involved in campus affairs and decision-making committees; staying informed; following rules, directives and mandates; respecting authority; protecting the environment and conserving its resources.

For more information on the Six Pillars, please visit http://josephsoninstitute.org/sixpillars.html.