Bosco System Catholic Schools

The Bosco System has implemented the Character Counts! Program for the K-8 units this year. Our plans are to further implement this program system wide in 2009-2010, 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.
September 2008 - Introduction of the program – Open House
October 2008 - RESPECT
November 2008 - CITIZENSHIP
December 2008 - CARING
January 2009 - RESPONSIBILITY
February 2009 - FAIRNESS
March 2009 (no specific pillar this month)
April 2009 - TRUSTWORTHINESS
May 2009 - Final Activities

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