Core Values Front and Center
FWCD’s core values – integrity, kindness, courage, respect, responsibility, scholarship – are words to live by for all students, faculty and staff. They are introduced to students in junior kindergarten and built upon through each grade level. These core values set forth a standard of conduct that is the foundation of productive life. They provide an ethical and moral compass and give purpose to education. The School’s core values are significant to fifth-graders Kathryn Huff, Eva Kim, and Sarah Mitchell McMillan, who decided to host a core value poster contest to increase awareness among their classmates.
The trio was inspired to make a change when they noticed an issue while walking through the fifth and sixth-grade hallway: student locks were being flipped backward, making it harder and more frustrating to quickly unlock lockers between classes during passing periods. The girls spoke to Middle School Health and Wellness Counselor Dr. Kathryn Sohne about a core values poster contest. The idea was so inspiring that the Fifth-Grade Team opted to use it in their Core Values Day activities. Fifth-graders formed small groups and created a poster about a meaningful core value. Huff, Kim and McMillan chose integrity.
“Integrity means doing the right thing all the time,” the girls shared. “It is honorable to have integrity.”
They felt the need to build on that poster-making experience to sponsor a contest among their peers to help keep core values top of mind and to remind everyone to always live with integrity, kindness, courage, respect, responsibility and scholarship.
Dr. Sohne supported the girls in their endeavor. They announced the contest in November, and posters are due next week. The girls are excited to see what entries come in and to award prizes. “Eva, Kathryn, and Sarah Mitchell are committed to making a difference at school each and every day,” she noted. “I am exceptionally proud of the girls for their initiative and commitment to our core values. They want to put these beliefs into action and encourage others to do the same.”
