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Trait of the Month

September Trait of the Month: Creativity

We have started the school year strong, with so many Columbine students setting incredible examples of what kindness looks like in our hallways and classrooms! As we continue our mission of building purposeful people, our focus for September turns to Respect, defined as "seeing value in all people and things & treating them with care."

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget the way that you made them feel." — Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou's quote lies at the very heart of respect. Showing respect means recognizing that every person, place, and object around us has worth. While words and actions can be forgotten over time, the emotional impact of how we treat others stays with them forever. When we practice respect, we choose words and actions that honor the inherent dignity of those around us—making others feel safe, valued, and heard, while also taking pride in caring for our environment and shared materials.

Building a Safe Community: Stop, Support, Report

As part of our focus on respect, students are also learning how to identify and prevent bullying, which we define as "hurtful repeated behaviors." Respect requires active effort to protect one another. If bullying occurs, we teach students three clear steps:

  • Stop: Use a firm, calm voice to tell the person engaging in hurtful behavior to stop (if it is safe to do so).

  • Support: Stand with or walk away with the person being targeted so they know they are not alone.

  • Report: Tell a trusted adult (such as a teacher, counselor, staff member, or parent) right away.

Respect Discussion Prompts for Home

Use these prompts to continue the conversation about respect around the dinner table or in the car:

  1. "Maya Angelou reminds us that people remember how we make them feel. What is one specific thing you can do this week to make a classmate, bus driver, or teacher feel valued and respected?"

  2. "Showing respect applies to things and spaces, too. What are some ways our family can show care and value for our home and community spaces?"

  3. "If you witness someone using hurtful, repeated behaviors at school or on the playground, how can you use 'Stop, Support, Report' to be a helpful ally?"