Herbert Spencer said, “Education has for its object the formation of character.” Thus, as we begin a new year of our Character Education program we continue to encourage parental and community involvement both inside, and outside the classroom to help develop the character of our students.

Character Education is necessary because:
• The next generation will be the stewards of our communities, nation and planet in extraordinarily critical times.
• The present and future well-being of our society requires an involved, caring, citizenry with good moral character.
• People do not automatically develop good moral character; therefore, conscientious efforts must be made to instruct young people in the values and abilities necessary for moral decision making and conduct.
• These core values transcend cultural, religious, and socio-economic differences.
• The character and conduct of our youth reflect the character and conduct of society; therefore, every adult has the responsibility to teach and model the core ethical values and every social institution has the responsibility to promote the development of good character.

This year we are adopting a new Character Education Program entitled Character Counts! developed by the Josephson Institute of Ethics. This program focuses on improving the ethical quality of society by advocating principled reasoning and ethical decision- making. The program revolves around six pillars of character. These pillars are T.R.R.F.C.C. Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. The administration, faculty and staff are committed to helping our students become young people of character; therefore, these qualities will be promoted and modeled on a daily basis in LFHS. For more information about this program visit www.charactercounts.org or www.locustforkhornets.com

CHARACTER COUNTS!
SIX PILLARS OF CHARACTER

TRUSTWORTHINESS
• Be honest.
• Don’t deceive, cheat, or steal.
• Be reliable—do what you say you’ll do.
• Build a good reputation.
• Have the courage to do the right thing.

RESPECT
• Treat others the way you want to be treated.
• 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
• Use self-control; be self-disciplined.
• Think before you act—consider the consequences.
• Be accountable for your choices.
• Always do your best.

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

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

Click here for the official website of Character Counts!