Character Education

List of 3 items.

• Lower School

  Augusta Prep is a strong and family-oriented community, and we all play a significant role in its success. Being a part of a community requires a partnership between all constituents. As a community, we model and nurture an environment built on the following core values: kindness, honesty, respect and responsibility.
   

  Each morning students in grades Kindergarten through 4th grade begin their day in common space where they all participate in reciting the Cavalier pledge:

  
  

  Cavalier Pledge

  
  

  I pledge to be responsible for my education. 

  To be honest in my actions.

  To think globally and act locally, providing service to others.

  To show kindness and respect,

  making our world better every day.

  I am, a Cavalier!

  
  

  1. Kindness: Students are expected to listen and speak respectfully and in a kind manner.

  • students will listen to faculty and staff and follow directions
  • students will use an indoor voice when speaking inside
  • students will use appropriate language which does not include swear words or negative remarks about themselves or others

  2. Honesty: Students are expected to be sincere in their actions and exhibit trustworthy 

      character.

  • students will respect others’ belongings by not touching/using such items without permission
  • students will speak and act with integrity 

  3. Respect: Students are expected to care for oneself, others and property by keeping hands, feet, and objects to themselves

  • students will respect other people's personal space by keeping their hands and feet to themselves
  • students will respect all property, help clean personal messes, and assist in leaving spaces in better condition than when they found them
  • Hitting, fighting, biting , teasing, harassing, inappropriate touch, or harming others or oneself in any way will not be tolerated. Disciplinary actions for these behaviors  will be taken seriously.

  4. Responsibility: Students are to care for themselves and others by abiding by our bullying prevention rules. 
  
  

  
  

  Olweus Bullying Prevention Rules

  Rule 1: We will not bully others.

  Rule 2: We will help students who are bullied.

  Rule 3: We will include students who are left out.

  Rule 4: If we know that somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult at home. 
  
  

  Lower School House System

  Students in grades Kindergarten through Fourth are sorted into four respective houses named after our four character words: Fidelitas (responsibility), Gratia (kindness), Integritas (honesty), and Respectus (respect). Each house consists of students from all five grade levels, creating an opportunity for our older students to guide and mentor our younger students. The houses meet each month where they participate in a team building activity or a service project to benefit our school community or the greater surrounding community.

  
  

  Classroom Education 

  Everyday reinforcement of good character is a priority in our lower school classrooms, Character-education lessons are presented by the counselor to grade levels several times a month. These developmentally appropriate lessons include various methods of experiential delivery, utilizing games, literature, puppetry, and research-based programming. Topics range throughout the year and include themes such as friendship, positive social skills building techniques, respecting differences, relational aggression, and empathy. This structured time is tailored to meet the needs of our elementary aged Cavaliers.

  
  

  Olweus

  Augusta Prep has adopted the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP), a school-wide framework for reducing bullying interactions among students, preventing new bullying problems, and strengthening peer relationships. Middle and Upper  School OBPP lessons are taught during advisory sessions. 

  
  

  The Olweus bullying prevention program is promoted throughout our lower school classrooms with the delivery of teacher-led, age appropriate lessons that compliment our core tenants.

  
  

  The Social Institute 

  Augusta Prep has also partnered with The Social Institute, a program designed to teach students in grades 3rd and 4th  how to navigate social media and technology in healthy ways. The Social Institute lessons focus on seven standards that coincide with the tenants of character education at Augusta Prep:

  • Play to Your Core - Reflecting our values character and interests in our actions 
  • Protect Your Privacy Like You’re Famous - Staying in control of our personal information 
  • Strike a Balance - Balancing our time and attention on technology with the people around us
  • Cyberback - Having each others’ back and supporting each other 
  • Find Your Influencers - Surrounding yourself with positive role models and credible influences 
  • Using Your Mic for Good - Amplifying your voice to create meaningful change
  • Handling the Pressure - Finding your own path no matter the pressure from others 

• Middle School

  Augusta Prep is a strong and family-oriented community, and we all play a significant role in its success. Being a part of a community requires a partnership between all constituents. As a community, we model and nurture an environment built on the following core values: kindness, honor/honesty, respect and responsibility. 
  
  

  Classroom Opportunities 
  Character development lessons are interwoven in the daily fabric of our middle school lives and are present in all classes and in our daily interactions with students. Faculty incorporate lessons in strong character through their expectations of students and coaching students to meet those expectations and through opportunities to discuss character development through their studies. Whether it be through lessons in good sportsmanship in physical education classes, through the analysis of strong character traits in the novels students read and discuss in English, or through the study of history, students are encouraged to act honorably and with a strong sense of personal responsibility and to be courteous, kind, and respectful. 
  
  

  Advisory Program 
  One of the key components of our advisory program is character education. Students meet in small groups with their advisors each week to explore topics centered on honor, honesty, respect, courtesy, and kindness. In one session students may discuss how to act honorable after reading sample middle school scenarios. In another session, students may be sharing compliments with one another and sharing the importance of acting with kindness. In another session, students may explore what it means to take on personal responsibility in the middle school years. 
  
  

  Honor Code 
  As students enter the Middle School, the components of the Cavalier Pledge, our Lower School character declaration, shift into our Middle School and Upper School Honor Code:

  As a member of the student body at Augusta Preparatory Day School, I will not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate such behavior by my classmates. At all times I will conduct myself honorably and with courtesy and respect toward others. 

  To learn more about our Honor Code, click HERE. (Or some link to the Honor Code page on our website). 

   

  Character Partnerships
  Augusta Prep has adopted the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP), a school-wide framework for reducing bullying interactions among students, preventing new bullying problems, and strengthening peer relationships. Middle School OBPP lessons are taught during advisory sessions. 
  
  

  Augusta Prep has also partnered with The Social Institute, a program designed to teach students how to navigate social media and technology in healthy ways. The Social Institute lessons focus on seven standards that coincide with the tenants of character education at Augusta Prep:
  
  

  • Play to Your Core - Reflecting our values, character and interests in our actions
  • Protect Your Privacy Like You’re Famous - Staying in control of our personal information
  • Strike a Balance - Balancing our time and attention on technology with the people around us
  • Cyberback - Having each others’ back and supporting each other
  • Find Your Influencers - Surrounding yourself with positive role models and credible influences
  • Using Your Mic for Good - Amplifying your voice to create meaningful change
  • Handling the Pressure - Finding your own path no matter the pressure from others 

• Upper School

  Advisory Program 

  The mission of the Upper School Advisory Program is to provide a support system that allows students to thrive academically and socially by strengthening the relationships they have with their peers, teachers, and community. The program fosters these relationships by promoting character education through social responsibility and intellectual growth.

  
  

  Students meet in small groups (or individually) with their advisors multiple times each month to explore topics such as academic guidance, relationship building, course planning, strategies for improvement, college aspirations, life skills, and even personal issues.

  
  

  The Honor System

  Honor Code

  As a member of the student body at Augusta Preparatory Day School, I will not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate such behavior by my fellow students. At all times, I will conduct myself honorably and with courtesy and respect toward others.

  
  

  Students will be asked to sign the following statement: “I have read and understand the Honor Code and HEC policies that have been established at Augusta Preparatory Day School, and I agree to accept and abide by their conditions.”

  
  

  To learn more about our Honor Code, click HERE. 

  
  

  Honor Education Council (HEC)

  The Upper School at Augusta Prep has a unique student-led, teacher-advised governing body that assesses instances of Honor Code violation and makes recommendations to the Head of the Upper School on consequences of violations. HEC effectiveness requires student body respect for the responsibility places on their elected student representatives. HEC matters are kept in strict confidence, as HEC members ensure an objective, comfortable, non-accusatory climate as they pursue truth, fairness, and consistency in their deliberations and recommendations. 

  
  

  Character Partnerships

  Olweus Bullying Prevention Program  

  Augusta Prep is committed to a learning environment that is free from harassment or bullying of any form. Thus, Augusta Prep has adopted the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP), a school-wide framework for reducing bullying interactions among students, preventing new bullying problems, and strengthening peer relationships. Upper School OBPP lessons are taught during advisory sessions. 

  
  

  The Social Institute

  Augusta Prep has also partnered with The Social Institute, a program designed to teach students how to navigate social media and technology in healthy ways. The Social Institute lessons focus on seven standards that coincide with the tenants of character education at Augusta Prep:

  • Play to Your Core - Reflecting our values, character and interests in our actions 
  • Protect Your Privacy Like You’re Famous - Staying in control of our personal information 
  • Strike a Balance - Balancing our time and attention on technology with the people around us
  • Cyberback - Having each others’ back and supporting each other 
  • Find Your Influencers - Surrounding yourself with positive role models and credible influences 
  • Using Your Mic for Good - Amplifying your voice to create meaningful change
  • Handling the Pressure - Finding your own path no matter the pressure from others 

  The Upper School students complete a TSI lesson each month within their advisory group or grade level that evokes meaningful discussion on the selected topic.