Character education is an integral and deliberate part of the educational experience at James River. At its core, character education aims to equip students with a better understanding of themselves and their values and helps them assemble a toolkit of strengths and practices that they can use throughout their lives. Character development helps to create the leaders and citizens referred to in our mission statement. We emphasize the Six Pillars of Character, which are stated in the character pledge our students recite each day: I pledge to do my best to show strength of character each day. I can act responsibly, show respect, show I care, be a good citizen, be trustworthy, and be fair in all that I do.
Two programs that are invaluable to James River’s character education are the Cardinal Buddy program and the Eighth Grade Leadership Council. Both programs foster students’ sense of belonging which in turn strengthens the well being of the entire school community.
The Cardinal Buddy program allows our middle-school-aged students to be role models of good character to their lower school buddies. Our recent, virtual or distanced “Meet and Greet” made connections across grade levels and was just the first of many more creative Cardinal Buddy activities to come.
I have been meeting with the eighth grade class to hear their ideas for giving back to James River and the community as members of the Eighth Grade Leadership Council. These young leaders are already serving James River this year by raising and lowering the flags daily, and assisting as ambassadors for Admissions and Development. During my conversations with them, I was impressed by their ideas, expressed so articulately and earnestly. They want to give back to the community in which they feel so valued and respected.
As the students and administration continue to collaborate on leadership opportunities, I look forward to learning from these students as they work to become effective leaders and passionate citizens.