For Character

Role of Other Support Staff

Ideas for the Secretary

As a school secretary, you come in contact with many students everyday.  There are steps you can take to help students learn and practice the Six Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!  They are:

·        Display the CHARACTER COUNTS! poster in your area where all students can see it.

·        Greet students (by name, when possible) whenever you see them in your office, hallway, or even out of school.

·        Use the CHARACTER COUNTS! language when visiting with them.  “Thank you.  That was responsible of you.  You are showing respect when you come into the office and use such good manners.”

·        Find your own unique ways to highlight the monthly pillar in your area.

·        When dealing with a student that needs a reminder or a corrective, work the CHARACTER COUNTS! language into the conversation, such as, “What would be the responsible way to carry that back to your teacher?  How could you show me that you are trustworthy?”

·        When you talk with teachers, tell them what you like or what you noticed about their students.

·        When dealing with kids who are struggling or having a problem, work as many positive compliments into the conversation as you can.

·        Thank students when you see them modeling the Six Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!  “Thank you for being a caring, helpful person.”

·        Compliment teachers when you see them modeling one of the Six Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!  With their permission, publish it in the bulletin.

          Ideas for the Custodian

Keeping the school clean is the big responsibility in terms of the health and safety of our students.  While you won’t be able to develop  a close relationship with the students you serve, there are things that are unique about your role that make you  a key player in your school.  There are steps you can take to help students learn and practice the Six Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!  They are:

·        Think of yourself as not only a custodian, but a role model for the students who see you working hard and doing a good job everyday.

·        Display the CHARACTER COUNTS! poster is your area so that you learn the six pillars.

·        Be clear with students you encounter about the behavior you expect from them.  If possible, use the language of CHARACTER COUNTS! to remind them.  Act responsibly.  Show respect for school property when you are using the restroom.

·        Greet students by name, when possible, to make each child feel special.  Be friendly and supportive.

·        Use the CHARACTER COUNTS! language when visiting with them.  “Thank you for throwing your towel in the basket.  That was responsible of you.  You are showing respect when you act that way.”

·        When dealing with a student that needs a reminder about behavior, use CHARACTER COUNTS! language such as, “What would be the responsible way to act in the bathroom?  How could you be a better school citizen in the cafeteria?”

·        When dealing with kids who are struggling, work as many positive compliments into the conversation as you can.  “I have been noticing that most days, you act responsibly in the lunchroom.  I think you just forgot today.”

·        Thank students when you see them modeling the Six Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!  “Thank you for being so trustworthy.”

Ideas for the Lunchroom Supervisor

As a lunchroom supervisor, you come in contact with many students everyday.  While you won’t be able to develop a close relationship with every student, there are things that are unique about your role that make you a key player in our school.  There are steps you can take to help students learn and practice the Six Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!  They are:

·        Display the CHARACTER COUNTS! poster in the cafeteria where all students can see it.

·        Greet students (by name, when possible) whenever you see them in and out of school.

·        Use the CHARACTER COUNTS! language when visiting with them.  “Thank you.  That was responsible of you.  You are showing respect when you talk that way.”

·        Find your own unique ways to highlight the monthly trait in the cafeteria.

·        When dealing with a student that needs a reminder about behavior, use CHARACTER COUNTS! language such as, “What would be the responsible way to act at the table?  How could you show respect to the person who is serving you the next time you come through the line to get your lunch?”

·        When you talk with parents, tell them what you like or what you noticed about their kids.

·        When dealing with kids who are struggling, work as many positive compliments into the conversation as you can.

·        Thank students when you see them modeling the Six Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!  “Thank you for being such a good school citizen.  When you drop your silverware on the floor and pick it up, you are being a good school citizen.”

Ideas for the Bus Driver

Transporting students from place to place is a big responsibility in terms of safety and expectations of behavior.  While you won’t be able to develop a close relationship with every one of your students, there are things that are unique about your role that make you a key player in your school.  There are steps you can take to help students learn and practice the Six Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!  They are:

·        Think of yourself as not only a bus driver, but a role model for your students.

·        Display the CHARACTER COUNTS! poster on your school bus where all students can see it.

·        Be clear with students who ride your bus about the behavior you expect from the.  If possible, use the language of CHARACTER COUNTS! to remind them.  Act responsibly.  Show respect for each other, etc.

·        Get to know the students that ride your bus and greet them by name with a smile.  Remember, you are the first contact the student has with school every day.

·        When dealing with a student that needs a reminder about behavior, use CHARACTER COUNTS! language such as, “What would be the responsible way to act on the bus?  What would be the caring thing to do with your neighbor on the bus?”

·        When dealing with kids who are struggling, work as many positive compliments into the conversation as you can.

·        Thank students when you see them modeling the Six Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!  “Thank you for being so respectful of school property.”

Ideas for the Instructional Assistant

As an instructional assistant, you spend many hours a day with your students.  In your role, you can develop a close relationship with the students you serve.  There are many things you can do to help students learn and practice the Six Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!  They are:

·        Think of yourself as a role model for the students who see you working hard everyday.

·        Post the CHARACTER COUNTS! poster in your area so that you can learn the Six Pillars.

·        Be clear with the students you encounter about the behavior you expect from them.  If possible, use the language of CHARACTER COUNTS! to remind them.  “Act responsibly.”  “Be a caring person when you are sitting next to someone.”

·        Greet students by name, when possible, to make each child feel special.  Be friendly, caring, and supportive.

·        Use the CHARACTER COUNTS! language when visiting with them.  “Thank you for throwing your towel in the basket.  That was responsible of you.  You are showing respect when you act that way.”

·        When dealing with the student who needs a reminder about behavior, use CHARACTER COUNTS! language, such as, “What would the responsible way to act in the bathroom?  How could you be a better school citizen in the cafeteria?”

·        When dealing with kids who are struggling, work as many positive compliments into the conversation as you can.  “I have been noticing that most days, you walk down the hall.  I think you just forgot today.”

·        Thank students when you see them modeling the Six Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!  “Thank you for being so responsible.”