derech eretz pledge · derech eretz code for faculty and staff • support of the same six values...

Derech Eretz Pledge What is it?

Sunday, 29 April 2012

First, a little history:Where did it come from?Origins:*2008-2009, led by Rabbi Steve Stroiman and Mrs. Farrell

*Approximately six to ten students and teachers together

*Four generations of S.A. leaders included since March 2010

Goals:*Address issues of honesty, respect, personal integrity and the overall moral climate of the school

*Research on other schools

*Explore the possibility of drafting an honor code


Where does input come from?

Students (Permanent members of the committee)SA officers (Four generations!)

Alliance club membersTeachers

Department heads and administrators


What is Derech Eretz?

• “The way of the land” - a set of guidelines for us as students and teachers

• A way to implement our Jewish values in the Barrack school community

• A code that will be used together with the handbook to help us to think about what to do and how to treat others in the most positive ways.


As a member of the Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy community, I pledge a commitment to studying Torah, to practicing its morals and values, and to demonstrating derech eretz with these six values: Humility, Modesty, Honor, Honesty, Community Fellowship

The Derech Eretz Pledge


Anavah and Tzniut:Humility and Modesty

*Striving to act with a sense of humility on and off campus

*Accepting and giving constructive criticism with humility

*Speaking and dressing appropriately and modestly

*Accepting honors and enjoying success with modesty


Kavod and Yosher:Honor and Honesty

*Speaking truthfully about myself

*Honoring and respecting the Barrack school buildings and grounds

*Honoring and respecting people in our school: fellow students, faculty, staff, and visitors

*Honoring and respecting the pluralistic mission of our school

*Completing homework, assessments and major assignments with honesty

*Continuing to act with honesty and integrity even in the face of peer pressure


Kehilla and HevrutaCommunity, Fellowship

*Affirming and supporting others in their successes and challenges

*Participating as a positive member of a team in classroom group projects

*Accepting diversity and extending friendship in a community represented by different religious outlooks, races, sexual orientations and gender expressions

*Making the community more safe by taking action instead of being a passive bystander

*Participating in the spiritual life of the Barrack community through prayer or through other kinds of reflection


Derech Eretz Code for Faculty and Staff

• Support of the same six values and support of the moral development of young people practicing derech eretz

• I recognize that I am a role model both for students and for my peers, and I am aware that I am perceived as a role model in the wider community too. I aspire to contribute to building a positive moral environment and to practicing derech eretz through my commitment to...


Faculty and Staff pledge

Honoring the mission and history of the school, mindful of the role I can play in furthering that mission for the greater good; Working collaboratively with my peers, respecting their expertise;

Striving for honest speech and honest evaluation with utmost respect for others’ feelings;

Contributing to a sense of community and fellowship through listening to others’ voices;


*Helping students to feel safe from bullying and harassment;

*Nurturing their ethical, moral and spiritual development;

*Playing a positive role in helping students to learn from their mistakes;

*Encouraging their desire to serve others;

*Recognizing their unique talents and gifts in a school that welcomes students of diverse backgrounds, orientations, expressions and interests;

*Treating each student as a young adult who is worthy of my kindness and respect and treating each of my peers as a source of knowledge and wisdom.


Discussion:

How can we ensure that students experience the Derech Eretz pledge as a positive step for our school to promote

good character?

What might create negative feelings?


Tuesday, May 1: Upper School advisory discussionsabout Humility, Modesty (MS auction)

Tuesday, May 8: Grade meeting discussions aboutabout Honor, Honesty

Tuesday, May 15th: Advisory discussions about Community, Fellowship

Tuesday, May 22nd: Grade meeting

Thursday, May 24th: Shavuot assembly, affirmation of Derech Eretz code

Timetable:


derech eretz pledge · derech eretz code for faculty and staff • support of the same six values...

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