THEME: A Lasallian Vision of Value Education Objectives: 1. Identify core values in a Lasallian Education. 2. Reflect on the methods of communicating those core values in a formal school setting

Working definitions for this presentation Core values – often used in context of defining an organization’s most important principles or standards (values) that characterize it in the midst of other organizations of a similar nature Values – One’s principles or standards; One’s judgment of what is important or valuable in life

LASALLIAN CORE VALUES Heritage found in two major texts written by La Salle and the early Brothers: (progressively edited from 1690 to 1718) VISION: Meditations for the Time of Retreat PEDAGOGICAL IMPLEMENTATION: The Conduct of the Christian Schools

SESSION ONE LASALLIAN CORE VALUES: Those values operative within the organization which are adapted from the experience of La Salle and the early Brothers and which give a special character to the organization’s work today: 1.Develop Awareness / Intimacy with the Divine 2.Form community with others of a like mind 3.Acquire Knowledge / Wisdom necessary to lead a good life 4.Exercise Compassion / Response to the needs of others, especially the poor.

Core Value-I Develop Awareness / Intimacy with the Divine 1. “Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.” “Live Jesus / God” in our hearts … Forever” 2. Develop a real relationship with God 3. Integral to that relationship is the inclusion of others and a concern for their welfare.

Core Value-II Form community with others of a like mind 1. R elationship with others includes a common educational purpose and practices 2. M ake a reasonable commitment of time to activities that build community 3. S upport for the practice of other core values

Core Value-III Acquire Knowledge / Wisdom necessary to lead a good life 1. “good life” includes: employment; character; contribution to society; wisdom concerning the purpose of life. 2. Commitment to competence and excellence

Core Value-IV Exercise Compassion / Response to the needs of others, especially the poor. 1. Experience / envision a relationship to others that leads to compassion / response 2. “needs of the poor” are a special focus for Lasallian Education

Session One: Core Values – Reflection / Discussion Questions 1. What aspect of St. Lasalle’s life or his decisions as depicted in the video do I most admire? 2. Which Lasallian core values do I already practice easily and frequently? Why? 3. Which Lasallian core value do I need to understand and develop better? Why?

SESSION TWO Communicating the Lasallian Core Values 1. P ersonal example 2. M anagement: Classroom and school 3. U se of the imagination 4. S tudents’ experience

Method I: Personal Example 1. Challenges to our own “value system” 2. Impact of what we DO compared to what we SAY

Method II: Management – classroom and school 1. Effort required to achieve “competence and excellence” 2. Knowing the students…. 3. Correction versus punishment

Method III: Use of the Imagination 1. In imaginative constructs (stories, parable, movies…) the whole person is engaged 2. Biographies / autobiographies provide convincing proof

Method IV: Students’ Experience 1. R einforce the experience students have when they act according to “core values” 2. P rovide service projects rooted in the social situation that surround them

SESSION TWO: Communicating the Lasallian Core Values Reflection / Discussion Questions 1. Which Lasallian core values are already being well communicated in your school? Please describe some of the effective methods. 2. Which Lasallian core values are most neglected or ineffectively communicated? What can be done to improve?