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Dear Editor:
Do our political leaders in Washington need to repeat elementary school? While the recent focus in elementary school education has been directed at the Common Core and student testing much of our dedicated teachers’ time is consumed with items not in the news but just as important. One such area is character education. Many of the schools in New York State are heavily invested in Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.
In PBIS there are Six Pillars of Character:
- Trustworthiness: Be honest; Be reliable — Do what you say you’ll do; Have the courage to do the right thing
- Respect: Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule; Be tolerant and accepting of differences; Use good manners etc.
- Responsibility: Do what you are supposed to do; Use self-control
- Fairness: Play by the rules; Take turns and share; Listen to others
- Caring: Be kind; Show you care
- Citizenship: Do your share to make your school/community better
Our teachers and schools are also mandated to follow New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act (DASA).
As a school principal one of my core beliefs has been to aid in the development of good citizens. When class elections were held for Student Government, teachers stressed the importance of voting for the person who students thought would be best at representing them, not just a friend. Did the politicians in the news attend elementary school?
I am horrified when a newscaster reports that a group of politicians met with President Obama regarding the Supreme Court vacancy, and they would not act on or vote for any candidate the president recommends! Are they bullying the president, are they biased against him, can they not think on their own? Politicians, instead of bullying and intimidating, please take time to learn what we spend so much effort teaching our children in elementary school. Learn and live by the six pillars of character!
Sincerely,
Kenneth L. Levy
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