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On May 13, Border Valley School Unit Principal Donovan Giesbrecht had the opportunity to present at the Garden Valley School Division Board Meeting on the character education initiative taking place in the school community. His presentation began with the essential question: What do we want for our kids?
In today's educational landscape, contemporary learning emphasizes the Global Competencies, also known as the "6 Cs": citizenship, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, communication, and character. Of these, character is often somewhat overlooked or reframed as connection-to-self. Border Valley’s emphasis is on character, acknowledging that true character includes self-awareness or connection, but is more about acquiring the personal virtues that enable us to serve others and our community.
The school’s character themes center around virtues such as wisdom, gratitude, courage, love, honesty, humility, kindness, and joy. During school-wide character assemblies, guest speakers share how these virtues have shaped their lives. Past speakers have included representatives from organizations such as Central Station, the RCMP, Valley Vet Clinic, Bethel, and the Winkler Flyers. The work of Dr. Hal Urban also shaped the school’s approach to character education this year, particularly his books, Life’s Greatest Lessons and 20 Gifts of Life.
Students are actively engaged in bringing character into their daily lives. From the inspirational images on the walls to the small acts of kindness witnessed in the hallways and the community, it’s clear that the school’s efforts are making a meaningful impact.
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