Contra Costa Schools Ask Students, Community to "Choose Civility"

How can educators help instill civility in students, and inspire positive behavior in co-workers and community members?

Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Ovick is leading an initiative to help students, teachers and community members "choose civility" by behaving respectfully and working collaboratively in their communities. Ovick will present the details of the initiative to the Martinez school board in Monday evening's meeting. 

The initiative is inspired by the work of Dr. P.M. Forni, author of the 2002 book Choosing Civility: The Twenty-five Rules of Considerate Conduct. The county is focusing on a list of 10 of the principles, chosen by the Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year, in an attempt to "promote the importance of civility in a world becoming less civil, and encourage community members to choose positive and respectful behaviors in their personal and work lives."

Students in Contra Costa County are being given the following advice for civil behavior in school, at home and in the community:

• Pay Attention
• Acknowledge Others
• Listen
• Speak Kindly
• Accept and Give Praise
• Respect Others’ Opinions
• Be Inclusive
• Respect Other People’s Time
• Don’t Shift Responsibility and Blame
• Apologize Earnestly

The school board meets Monday, Aug. 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the . Agendas and minutes can be found on the Martinez Unified School District website.

What do you think of the "Choose Civility" initiative? Will students pay attention? Do they need to? Share your thoughts in the comments.