Boys of Character
At Ross Elementary School, the Boys of Character student leadership group began as an opportunity to support the character development of individual students who exhibit strong student leadership potential. The group of students meets weekly with an assistant principal and school resource officer. The leadership group meets to participate in team building activities, to strengthen their understanding of the school’s adopted character traits, and to develop meaningful relationships with their peers. During the first meeting, and periodically throughout the school year, students engage in self-reflection and identify specific goals they would like to meet related to character and leadership development. Their conversations and learning experiences are based on the school's core virtues of respect, responsibility, courage, perseverance, honesty, and compassion. Students also receive the personalized set of “dog tags” that serve as a constant reminder of their willingness to serve as a student leader within the school and a model of character.