Character Strong

Dear Families,

We are thankful for you being part of our school community! The world is changing quickly and we want to do everything we can to help students be successful in school and life.

We are excited to tell you that we will be using a program called PurposeFull People this year. This program teaches skills that will help students be successful in school and in life.

We believe that students should have safe, predictable places to learn where they feel included. Students should have healthy and helpful connections with teachers and classmates. They should also experience learning that will help them tackle challenges inside and outside of school. PurposeFull People is more than a set of lessons - it is a partnership between schools and families to create a place where students feel like they belong and learn skills that will help them be the best they can be!

PurposeFull People has three main goals for students: Be Kind, Be Strong, and Be Well.

• Be Kind: Social skills like listening, friendship, solving conflicts, and leadership.
• These skills are taught alongside Empathy, Respect, & Cooperation
• Be Strong: Skills that help students focus, stay organized, and set goals.
• These skills are taught alongside Responsibility, Courage, & Perseverance
• Be Well: Skills that help students handle their emotions and deal with stress.
• These skills are taught alongside Gratitude, Honesty, & Creativity

This year, you’ll be invited to join the fun! We will send letters home about the skills and strengths being taught each month. Each letter will include some ways to build these skills at home, discussion starters, and fun challenges you can try with your family.

The path forward is full of growth! We cannot wait to partner with you in this work…

• To teach students how to build strong friendships
• To work together to solve problems, big and small
• To grow skills for life

• To become PurposeFull People

We are looking forward to focusing on Gratitude this month! One way to think about Gratitude is “choosing to appreciate the people and things in our lives.” Practicing Gratitude can increase our well-being and even our happiness!

Gratitude is 1 of 3 traits we will focus on throughout the year that helps students Be Well. Across grade levels, students will be developing skills like emotion regulation, positive self-talk, and stress-management.

This month we are talking about Responsibility. One way to define Responsibility is “taking action and understanding the impact of our choices.” Taking action can mean doing the right thing or completing the tasks you have been assigned. Understanding the impact of our choices means that our actions matter. Positive and responsible actions can help people and irresponsible actions can hurt others.

This month’s focus is Respect. One way to think about Respect is “seeing value in all people and things & treating them with care.” Many people feel Respected in different ways. We hope this month inspires discussions with your family about what Respect means to you and how you can practice it together!