Character Education

What Character Education Means at Escuela Key

One of Escuela Key’s goals is to develop civic-minded students of high character. We want all students to acquire the beliefs, emotional intelligence, and behaviors necessary to do what is right simply because it is right. To that end, we involve students, staff, and parents in an active Character Education program that includes Character Rocks (a student run activity), Parent Institutes (speakers and materials on character education topics), and several in-school activities.

We Promote Four Character Traits

  • Respect
  • Responsibility
  • Trustworthiness
  • Kindness

Character Education Activities Throughout the Year – At School and At Home

What’s Happening Now

The Escuela Key Character Education committee has chosen Empathy to be our theme. Empathy is the fundamental building block to the character traits we focus on here: Respect, Responsibility, Trustworthiness, and Kindness. Watch for educational materials throughout the year on what is empathy and how you as parents can help to foster empathy in your children.

What is Empathy? Click here for a way of explaining the concept to your child. En español. Building Empathy? Click here for more information on how to teach empathy skills to your child. En español.

The Character Education committee is sponsoring a Name the Hallway contest. Interested students can participate and help give our hallways names that reflect character education themes.Year-Long ActivitiesChildren often pay more attention to what they see than what adults say. Show your children that “Character is Key” in your family.Set a Good Example.

  • Emphasize the importance of good character within your family and circle of friends.
  • Admit mistakes and seek to correct them.
  • Encourage your children to do the same.
  • Establish clear rules and impose fair consequences.
  • Praise your children when they do the right thing.
  • Volunteer in your community.
  • Show that you care.

Check back throughout the year. For more character resources, explore the Character Education portion of the Key Web site and stop by the Character Education bulletin board, located in the hallway on the way to Key’s Multipurpose Room. Parents may also benefit from Arlington Public School Parent Academy Workshops.