By Elementary Principal Mary-Anne Jasinski

Teachers work every day to advance children’s academic skills and knowledge, and support them to become active life-long learners. Teachers and schools also play an important role in helping students develop healthy attitudes towards themselves and others. Efforts are made to shape students’ ideas about what constitutes “good” behaviour, and to encourage and guide them to understand the rights and responsibilities of good citizens in today’s society. In our character and citizenship education for kindergarten and elementary children at TIS, we focus on The 4 Be’s: Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible and Be Prepared. Through discussion, practice, modeling, highlighting appropriate words and actions, and by offering feedback and praise, we support children in taking responsibility for their own learning and to respect the needs and the learning of others. The benefits of this work are evident every day in each child’s eagerness to play an active role in contributing to our positive school culture. As you review your child’s recent report card and celebrate their academic growth and success, please pay particular attention to the final section “Responsibilities as a Learner”. It is equally important to help your child focus on the challenges and future goals described in this section, and to celebrate their success as a caring and responsible student at TIS.