RESPONSIBILITY - Being answerable for one's behavior; being accountable or liable for what we say or do; having the sense of duty to willingly fulfill the tasks we have accepted or have been assigned; conscientiously performing all work; being held accountable for our behavior.
Examples: Taking care of a pet. Cleaning our rooms. Doing homework. Going to school. Practicing an instrument when taking lessons. Doing a chore or job which we have to do.
RESPECT - To show consideration for someone; to treat others with dignity; to show regard for the worth of someone or something. There are many kinds of respect such as respect for life, people, animals, authority, property of others, the flag and the environment. We should respect ourselves and others. (We don't have to like someone to respect him/her.) If we respect someone, we will not try to hurt him.
Examples: Not littering. Doing what a parent or teacher says. Not talking back to people. Saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Not hurting a pet. Taking care of school property. Treating all persons including members of the opposite sex with dignity. Dressing modestly.
PERSEVERANCE - Maintaining a course of action, belief or purpose without giving in; strength or patience in dealing with something that is difficult; striving for a goal and not quitting. It does matter that a task is completed once begun.
Examples: Finishing our homework even though we are tired or don't feel like it. Going to work even when we do not want to. Not giving up! Working up to your potential. Overcoming adversity.
COURTESY - Polite behavior; observing the manners accepted by a group. Common courtesy has its basis in respect for other people.
Examples: Verbal examples include "thank you", "excuse me", "pardon me", "I'm sorry", "hello", "good morning (afternoon, evening)", "hi", "nice to see you", etc. Behavioral examples include opening or holding a door open when it is not necessary (if it is necessary, it is kindness), returning a shopping cart to a store. Refraining from the use of profanity.
LOYALTY - Steadfast in allegiance to a country, government, organization, ideal, custom, religion or person.
Examples: Standing by a friend who is not part of a group (sometimes this requires courage). Doing our best when we are on a team so we don't let the others down. Following the rules in our family because we care for our family. Having school spirit. Defending someone's reputation.
COMPASSION - Feeling and responding covertly or overtly to the suffering of others; sympathetic to the physical or emotional pain of others. Compassion shows that we not only understand the suffering of others but also feel bad when others suffer.
Examples: Responding to others who have lost a pet, lost their lunch money, hurt themselves on the playground, have been mistreated by others. Responding to someone who has a problem. Being understanding about someone's situation. Offering to help someone in need.
FAIRNESS - Acting or behaving in a manner in which people are treated the same; not showing favoritism to someone when it hurts others or is at their expense. Treating other people the way we would like to be treated. (We do not have to like someone to be fair to him/her).
Examples: Taking turns in a game, playing by the rules, not taking a lot of popcorn when there is not enough for everyone. Allowing someone to go ahead of you in traffic. Allowing for another person's opinion.
KINDNESS - Being friendly, helpful, humane, considerate of others; giving or thoughtful.
Examples: Helping someone pick up his/her books when they are dropped. Helping someone fix a bike or solve a hard puzzle, caring for someone who is ill. Encouraging someone with a compliment or a kind word. Being a friend to someone who needs one.
HONESTY - Not lying, cheating, stealing; being truthful, sincere or genuine. (We can know what is honest but not have the courage to do the right thing.)
Examples: Saying we are sick when we are not is not being honest; in fact, that is lying. Copying from someone's test or homework, taking something that is not ours. Striving to tell the truth and be ethical in all things. Keeping your word.
COURAGE - The state of mind or spirit which enables us to face danger, humiliation, disgrace or teasing when we do the right thing. Moral courage gives us the fortitude to act on behalf of others.
Examples: Protecting someone who is being bullied. Not doing things like cheating on a test, copying someone else's homework, or stealing even if others are doing it. In other words, standing up for what is right. Defending freedom. Standing up for a principle you believe in. Living out your beliefs.
