Colwich Elementary School

Building Character and Community: Embracing the Cardinal Code at Colwich Elementary

At Colwich Elementary, our school culture is built on a foundation known as the Cardinal Code, which embodies the three pillars of heart, effort, and grit. These pillars define what it means to be a Cardinal, and they guide our students in their daily lives both inside and outside the classroom. By fostering these character traits, we aim to create a supportive, resilient, and motivated school community.

The Three Pillars of the Cardinal Code

Heart: Cardinals show kindness, empathy, and a genuine concern for others. Having heart means being compassionate and understanding, always ready to lend a helping hand.

Effort: Cardinals give their best in everything they do. Effort involves dedication, hard work, and a commitment to continuous improvement, no matter the task at hand.

Grit: Cardinals demonstrate perseverance and resilience. Showing grit means facing challenges head on, never giving up, and pushing through obstacles with determination and courage. 

To nurture these pillars, students at Colwich Elementary learn a virtue of the month, inspired by Bill Bennett's "Book of Virtues." These virtues are trust, work, responsibility, honesty, friendship, courage, loyalty, self-discipline, perseverance, and compassion. Each virtue is carefully integrated into the school day, ensuring that students not only understand these values but also practice them regularly. One of the mottos at Colwich Elementary is "Stick by Stick," reflecting the belief that cultivating virtue is a gradual process, much like a Cardinal building its nest little by little. This motto emphasizes the importance of patience and persistence in personal growth and character development.

Daily Lessons and Integrated Learning

Students receive a daily 15-minute lesson focused on the virtue of the month. During these sessions, teachers introduce the virtue through stories, discussions, and activities that illustrate its importance and practical application. Throughout the day, teachers incorporate the virtue into their lessons, reinforcing its relevance across different subjects and situations.