Jacqui Rivait Quotations

Let's put our feet in their shoes and think about how embarrassed they must feel going to school without all of the comforts we are so lucky to have.

One of the things I tell my own daughter and also the children I work with is something I learned long ago from my grandmother. Your word is your honor. If you make a commitment it is your responsibility to live up to your word. If you don't then this is a reflection on your character and ultimately on your honor as a person of integrity.

I don't believe that children are born with empathy. It is something they learn by seeing it modeled by others.

Just recently I was reading a message that was hurtful and hateful. People are not perfect and sometimes we don't always behave appropriately. We make poor decisions and we wish we could take something hurtful back that we have said. But this is not a perfect world. That is why children become scared, worried, and anxious. The Core Values and programs like STAND (students taking a new direction) are a means in which to make our students safer and more successful.

It is so important that we give our children tools in their tool box called life that will help them resolve conflict peacefully and non-violently.

Our Core Values Program doesn't sit on a shelf. We feel the opportunity should be seized every day, in every class and infused into the curriculum.

When taught and modeled daily in the classroom we see that the core values help to reduce intolerance, harassment, bullying, teasing, and risky and aggressive behaviors. If we as adults are responsible and do our job as caring adults, children will feel safe and supported and they will enjoy positive relationships with peers and adults. They will know and understand what is expected of them and the rules and expectations are consistent. All of these things will help facilitate learning for all children and success at home and in school and their community.

While there are certain social graces or politeness which involve not hurting another's feelings ? if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all ? it is very confusing to children. The whole issue of honesty can be very frustrating for parents to teach.

Reaching out to help others is a great way for children to learn to become responsible. Younger children may not understand the concept of social responsibility, but they will understand the importance of collecting mittens for children who have nothing to keep their hands warm in the winter.

It is so simple. It is important that we teach our children the importance of having respect for themselves and other people. If they are not being respectful or if someone is being disrespectful to them, real learning cannot take place.

It is our responsibility to teach them alternatives to violence, how to manage their anger, how to deal with conflict peacefully, the golden rule of treating others the way you want to be treated and to think before they act.

Food and clothing collections are great ways for children to learn responsibility. And it's even more beneficial if children can go to the facility where the goods are being donated.

Don't blame a child for being dishonest unless you have determined that they really have not been telling the truth. Have any discussion involving dishonesty privately, not in front of the whole class or the whole family, especially siblings.

That right there is a wonderful opportunity for the children. How often do students from all over the community get to interact and learn about one another?

Each result has action steps to back them up. The action steps are like a map. If you us them like a compass you will never get lost, and you will reach your destination.

Students will use these tools long after they leave school. We are giving them a life skill.

I once heard an adult ask another adult if her daughter was in STAND. One adult responded by saying, she was until her daughter was asked to bring in a roll of toilet tissue. The mom said it was too much, too embarrassing. I was so sad to hear this response from an adult. It was such a teachable moment about social responsibility, compassion and empathy.

The major reason children lie is to escape punishment. The chances are the more a parent or a teacher is harsh, aggressive, or punitive, the more motivated children are to make up a story to protect themselves from punishment.