"My Thoughts About Forest Park Virtues"

Student Essays from Forest Park Elementary School, BC
Posted with permission of Nick Becir, Principal

In May 2004, 500 students at Forest Park School in Lantzville, BC (grades K-5) wrote essays on "My Thoughts about Forest Park Virtues". They enthusiastically described how their school has been transformed into a much friendlier environment since implementing The Virtues Project two years ago. One student said, "You learn how to get along with people, people that make me very mad. I have a lot more friends to hang out with now, plus I'm very happy." Another said, "I learned a lot of new things, like kindness and caring. I did those two things and then I got more friends and its sooo much better." Students also mentioned "we have courage to stand up to bullies", "kids don't pick on each other", "it inspires us to be kind and peaceful", "the virtues thing is cool", "it made me a whole new person", "it gives you good people skills", "the school became a better place to learn", and "everyone is starting to be kind to each other." Some people debate whether good character can be taught or not. As I read these students' words I am reminded that children already have the virtues within them, that they CAN learn what the words mean and they WILL put then into action if we encourage them in the right way.

At Forest Park School the program was launched with a day of professional training for all staff. Subsequently, the school secretary, Mrs. Gentry, became the driving force behind implementing it. Among other things, she read about virtues over the morning announcements each day. Teachers wove virtues education throughout the curriculum.

HERE'S WHAT STUDENTS SAID, IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

• The virtues program has taught us to be sharing and how to make new friends, but the most important virtue is that we all have courage to stand up to bullies.
  
  
• This virtues project has flipped the school around and made it a kind, loving school.
  
  
• It's going nicely and everyone is starting to be kind to each other. It's really affected everyone at the school. They're cooperating. It makes people get along. It's made people caring and honest. I know this for a fact because I said hi to someone and they said hi back, which they usually don't say. I think this virtues program is the best idea they ever had to make the school a better place. A lot of people started wanting to be my friend now, so its really affected me. Also, all the people in my class are nicer. They used to be mean and not very kind, so this thing has really affected everyone in our school. So, yeah Forest Park!
  
  
• It there weren't virtues, the world would be chaos. To me, virtues are essential in life. They give you a chance to get lots of friends. I have experience because I had more than 250 friends in my life and I love it so far. My estimate of friends in my life is going to be about 600 or 722 friends.
  
  
• I know some people who didn't care about other people's feelings. Those people now are great. I think it's because of the virtues. With the virtues I've made many friends. Me and my two best friends at recess would talk about virtues and play games that included the virtues. Virtues rock!
  
  
• Practicing virtues makes us more at peace and makes us think about what would happen if we all practiced virtues and were at peace within ourselves and everyone else. Doing this would help us become better people and help the future of the earth.
  
  
• I've noticed that the school has become a more kind and caring place. One day, when this new kid hit me with his bike, I remembered that we were doing forgiveness, so I didn't do anything but tell him not to do it again.
  
  
• I've noticed people are more joyful. The virtues program taught me not to pick on other people. I've noticed lots of people trust each other.
  
  
• I think that every single virtue helps everybody in some way. If people do what the virtues meaning is then the world would be a better place. Speaking of which, here are some examples, like kindness, which means "don't hurt-help". Forgiveness means, if somebody tells a secret, forgive them. Peacefulness means nobody gets hurt or teased. Honesty means that if you break something you will tell them that you did it, not someone else. Honor means you honor people for who they are.
  
  
• It teaches you how to solve problems in school or outside of school. I have learned what trust and kindness really mean. The virtues have taught me how to be a better friend and trust my friends.
  
  
• You learn new words and it's neat to know what all of them mean.
  
  
• It makes the school a safer place to be at because it really tells kids to stop bullying and teasing each other. It also teaches you to have courage and determination and give everything your best shot because you only live one life. My favorite virtues are courage and determination because it teaches you how to really go far in life. It also teaches you to enjoy every minute of your life.
  
  
• What I like about the virtues project is that some of the words help me with my work, like creativity. What I also like about The Virtues Project is that it helps with my playtime outside, so I know what to say in situations. The Virtues Project makes the school change. It makes me successful at the end of the year.
  
  
• If everyone acted how the virtues tell them to, the world would be a much, much better place, where everyone treats each other fairly and with respect. If everyone used the virtues there would be no need for weapons and there would be no wars or killing each other. The world would definitely be a much better and more peaceful, caring place to live.
  
  
• During The Virtues Project I learned a lot of word meanings and a lot of ways to make new friends and get to know strangers better and overcome all my fears. I noticed that out of them all tact was my favorite.
  
  
• I don't really like the virtues because there could be better stuff on the announcements when the virtues are on, like more music-hip hop or rock. But I kinda like honor because if you are honored, you would make other people honored in some way.
  
  
• Now I'm a new person, a more kind person and careful person, thanks to Forest Park virtues project that made me a whole new person. If they can change me, I'm sure they can try and help you be a new and wonderful person.
  
  
• The project is really cool. I'm changing because of Forest Park virtues program, which is good. Everybody told me that I should have courage, so that's what I'm doing.
  
  
• My favorite word is caring. Caring is so important, because if someone gets hurt what will you do? I would stick by their side, even if it was my enemy.
  
  
• I think it's helping children get better grades because they feel good about themselves. It helps children by getting them in a good mood for the day.
  
  
• I was going to hurt a little kid, but I quickly stopped what I was going to do and thought about peacefulness, gentleness and caring.
  
  
• There is not as much hitting and excluding, kicking, and people haven't gotten into trouble as much.
  
  
• I think every school should have it. I speak for everyone when I say, it changes people's lives. Mine sure has anyway. Mrs. Gentry has shown me that I am trustful, loyal. I have courtesy. I have courage, honor. I am honest and flexible. I can cooperate. I am assertive. I have determination. I give lots of service. I am generous, caring. I have idealism, forgiveness, humility, and lots of others, and lots of creativity. Thank you.
  
  
• The virtues helped me once. I was feeling down one day and when the announcements came on and Mrs. Gentry talked about joyfulness, my day started to get better and I had a good day.
  
  
• I think that having virtues at Forest Park school is a very smart idea.
  
  
• I hope that teachers will teach us more virtues and what they mean throughout elementary school.