Herbert Spencer once 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 AHS.

CHARACTER COUNTS
SIX PILLARS OF CHARACTER

RESPONSIBILITY

TRUSTWORTHINESS

CITIZENSHIP

FAIRNESS

CARING

RESPECT

Calendar for the 09/10 School Year

Responsibility

August
            14............................Responsibility
            21............................Punctuality
            28............................Cooperation

September
            5.............................Diligence
            11............................Courage
            18............................Creativity
            25............................Cleanliness

Trustworthiness

October
            2.............................Trustworthiness
            9............................Honesty
            16............................Loyalty
            23............................Reliable
            30............................Fairness

Citizenship

November
            6.............................Citizenship
            13...........................Patriotism
            20...........................Tolerance
            27...........................School Pride

Caring

December
            4............................Caring
            11...........................Compassion
            18...........................Generosity

Fairness

January
            5.............................Fairness
            8.............................Sportsmanship
            15............................Tolerance
            22............................Generosity
            29............................Diversity

Respect

February
            5.............................Respect
            12...........................Self-Respect
            19...........................Respect for Others
            27...........................Respect for the Environment

March   
            5............................Sportsmanship
            12...........................Tolerance
            26...........................Diversity

Trustworthiness

April
            2...........................Honesty
            9..........................Courage
            16..........................Diligence
            23..........................Reliable

Caring

May
            1............................Patience
            7............................Cheerfulness
            14...........................Courtesy
            21...........................Success