The purpose of the character education program at Duffy School is to develop the character of each student with emphasis on responsibility, respect, confidence, compassion, and an appreciation of personal uniqueness.  The “Six Pillars of Character” are values  which can strengthen the lives of Duffy students with ethical values which transcend divisions of race, creed, politics, gender and wealth. 

They are: 

trustworthiness 

respect

responsibility

fairness

caring

citizenship

Character education sets up objective criteria of virtue and encourages young people to adopt them as ground rules for life.

Why We Need A Curriculum That Builds Character

From: "Golden Rules" by Wayne Dosick p. 2-3

In the early 1950's, elementary school teachers from across the United States were asked to list the top five problems in their school. They replied:

                                    1.talking out of turn

                                    2.chewing gum

                                    3.making noise

                                    4.running in the hall

                                    5.cutting in line

In the early 1990's, the same question was asked of teachers. Their replies were profoundly different:

                                    1.drug and alcohol abuse

                                    2.guns and knives in school

                                    3.pregnancy

                                    4.suicide

                                    5.rape

Historically, schools have had two major tasks: 

(a)  to help young people to be learn to read, write, and do math;

(b)  to help them become good citizens.

Since the time of Plato, enlightened societies have made character education a part of their children’s schooling. There is a sound reason for rating character education so highly - the connection between objective values (virtues) and good character.

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