I am very happy to share with you that we have a comprehensive program, that we are referring to our Derech Eretz Program, that teaches the values of being a mensch, but also has clear descriptions and consequences laid out in a harassment / bullying policy and in a discipline policy.
The heart of the program though, is the values curriculum. Spanning over the course of two years (sorry 8th graders :( students will learn the many midot ("values") of being a mensch; more specifically, the behaviors we would like our students to model. What is unique about the program is that each value is directly connected to Jewish text. Our younger students will simply learn the value and our older students will study the text and discuss how we arrived at the value.
Each week (sometimes over two weeks) a new value will be presented at the first Tefillot session for the week. The value will proudly be displayed on banners and posters throughout the school to remind each student of the value of the week. An abbreviated version (very abbreviated) will also be on the outside marquis. Finally, on the first day of the week a presentation of the value will be on the EKA Blog with the hopes that it will solicit conversation in each of our families homes and into the community.
So, without further ado, presenting the very first value:
"When responding to an adult, answer by saying, "yes, please" or, "no, thank you."
This value is found in Rambam Hilchot Talmud Torah, Chapter 5, Law 5:
"and one should not respond to his teacher the way he would to his friend, rather he should greet him with fear and respect and say, "peace upon you my teacher and mentor"
