Rainbow District School Board hosts consultations on character traits

What character attributes should we model, teach and expect in Rainbow Schools?

Community leaders will come together on Wednesday, April 29th, 2009 to answer that question as part of the Rainbow District School Board’s series of school and community consultations on character traits. The community consultation will take place from 1 pm to 2 pm in Room 319 at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School.

“In Rainbow Schools, character development is just as important as reading, writing and mathematics,” says Director of Education Jean Hanson. “We are not only teaching students problem solving and critical thinking skills, we are also instilling in them character traits to build good citizens who can lead us into the future.”

The traits that emerge from the consultation process will provide the foundation for ongoing character development in Rainbow Schools in Sudbury, Espanola and Manitoulin. “These character attributes will be modelled, taught, and expected in all of our elementary and secondary schools,” says Director Hanson. “They will be reflected in our communications with parents and the public as we continue to nurture a strong partnership between home, school and community.”

To date, input has been received from the Parent Involvement Committee (which includes representatives from School Councils), teachers and support staff, the Special Education Advisory Committee (which includes representatives from a number of community agencies), elementary and secondary students, and school administrators.

Community consultations will continue in Espanola and Manitoulin on May 12th. They will culminate with input from the First Nations Advisory Committee at their regular meeting on May 15th. A report will be presented to the Board later this spring.

“Character development is about self-awareness, self-discipline, reflection and understanding – doing what’s right because it’s the right thing to do,” says Director Hanson. “Character development is the cornerstone of a civil, just, humane, respectful, democratic society. It is embedded in everything that we do in Rainbow Schools.”

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Media Contact:

Jean Hanson, Director of Education,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7215.