Integrity: A Critical Value for our Future  

- By Adrianne Finley Odell

"To know what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice.”  – Confucius

Recent news has been full of examples of questionable integrity.   Three alone have received national attention:

• The college admissions scandal
• Jussie Smollett case
• Michael Cohen  

Integrity, one of the core values of Roycemore, refers to “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.”  All three of the above are glaring examples of dishonest behavior.  In these cases, the lack of integrity is very clear, however that is not always the case.  Given the undisputed lack of integrity displayed in these cases, it makes one wonder what was (or was not) in place during these individuals formative years that might have influenced such extreme lack of judgement.

We have the opportunity at Roycemore to do better with our young people. Roycemore’s strategic plan states, “Our commitment to truth, personal responsibility, and fairness in our judgements provides a foundation for the sense of trust throughout our school community as we adhere to high ethical standards.”  Why is integrity such an important core value for Roycemore, and why is it important to emphasize it as part of our philosophy of education in preparing students for future careers?

Integrity is an important core value for Roycemore because in order to build effective partnerships based on mutual respect and understanding, there must be a foundation of trust.  Trust grows when individuals know that they can count on each others’ word and that they will do what they say they will do. In our small, close-knit environment, teachers, students and families know each other well, and strong, trusting, relationships are essential to the partnership that helps young people achieve their full potential.  When trust is a shared value that envelops every relationship in our community, we foster an environment where all can thrive.  This is just as true in a group project in a science lab as it is on the stage in a theater production. When we trust each other, we can be more vulnerable and push ourselves to grow.

Once our students graduate from Roycemore, the importance of their integrity grows even stronger as they enter into college and their future career.  According to the World Economic Forum  in the next 20 years, the world of work will change dramatically, requiring ongoing education and training including acquisition of “meta-skills such as entrepreneurship, teamwork, curiosity and adaptability.”  For successful teamwork to take place, integrity is essential. Teamwork requires cooperation, and it is difficult to get someone to cooperate with you if they don’t trust you. The most challenging problems of the world today cannot be solved by single individuals.  They will require creative solutions that are developed by interdisciplinary teams. Teams that can think divergently. Trust will be necessary for these teams to do their best work. A person with integrity engenders trust, and we are more likely to want to work with them or to work for them.

In the rapid-pace rate of change that surrounds us and the incredible transformation we are witnessing due to technology, all kinds of ethical issues are cropping up.  We will be more and more challenged by these complications and the moral choices we will face. Who will you trust as you make critical decisions for yourself and your family?  How will you know to trust them? To be able to make informed decisions using good judgement we will rely more and more on our ability to trust the individuals, corporations, organizations, and governments that are providing us with the information we are receiving.  Those entities that engender trust as a result of consistent demonstration of integrity, will ultimately be the ones that will prevail.

- Tuesday, April 9th - US Boys Volleyball at Home vs Lycee, 6:00pm
- Thursday, April 11th - Free Yoga At Roycemore, 5:00pm (All Ages Welcome)
- Monday, April 15th - Chipolte Fundraiser (711 Church Street), 4:00-8:00 pm
- Tuesday, April 16th - Admissions Morning, 8:30-10:00am
- Tuesday, April 16th - US Boys Volleyball at Home vs. Acero Garcia, 6:00pm
- Wednesday, April 17th - LS One Book Read Together, 6:00-7:00pm
- Thursday, April 18th - Middle School Science Fair, 8:30-10:00am
- Thursday, April 18th - Free Yoga At Roycemore, 5:00pm (All Ages Welcome)
- Thursday, April 18th - Faces and Cultures Program Guatemala Student Exchange Info Session, 5:00-7:00pm
- Thursday, April 18th - Upper School Variety Show, 7:00-9:00pm
- Friday, April 19th - No School - Passover and Good Friday (No EDP Available)

Ever wonder what it would be like to see Paris in April?

Now you can!

Roycemore's Annual Auction and Scholarship Dinner is being held in just three weeks and you don't want to miss it! Book your babysitter and buy your tickets today. The school will be transformed to the City of Lights and everyone will have the chance to dine, drink, and delight in all things French. Live auction items include trips to Europe, Le Cordon Blue Chef Tastings, An Instant Wine Cellar and more!   

Check out the online auction and start your bidding: ONLINE AUCTION

This event supports the financial aid and scholarship funds of Roycemore School where nearly 50% of our student body receives some kind of financial aid. This incredible commitment is due to the support of our entire community, from current parents and grandparents, to alumni and their families - all who want to see Roycemore continue to thrive in a manner that is accessible to people from all different backgrounds.

Do you know anyone interested in finding out more about Roycemore?  Attending one of our Admissions Mornings is a great way to see what Roycemore looks and feels like!  Interested families are invited to stop in any time during the event to talk to faculty, take a tour and meet current students who can share what the Roycemore experience has meant to them. 

Next Admissions Morning
Tuesday, April 16th
8:30-10:00am
 

Bring a print out or electronic version of this flyer to Chipolte (711 Church Street) and they will donate a portion of the proceeds to Roycemore School.  

Monday, April 15th, From 4:00 - 8:00 pm

Roycemore Family Association (RAF) is proud to host Massachusetts Distinguished Educator, Michael Delman, for a free parent presentation about Executive Functioning.

Your Kid's Gonna Be Okay
How to Build Exectutive Function Skills: Your Guide to Raising Confident and Competent Kids
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
7:00 p.m.
At Roycemore School (1200 Davis Street)

As parents, we're sometimes filled with dread that our kids might not make it in the world. We are now in the Age of Attention, where the key skills are the ability to choose priorities, stay focused and get things done amidst an infinity of distractions. These skills are known as Executive Function skills-- the self management abilities that children must learn in order to be motivated, productive and confident. Lifelong educator and expert in Executive Function intervention, Michael Delman, teaches parents how to equip their children with the skills they need today and for the future. Click the flyer below to read more about this event.

Is your child ready to see the world?  Faces and Our Cultures, a cultural exchange organization based in Guatemala, is offering a summer exchange programs for students between the ages of 11-17. 

Information Session
Roycemore School
Thursday, April 18th
5:00-7:00pm

American students attend a private bilingual school during their stay in Guatemala and programs are available in 2-week, 3-week, and 4-week options.  Students stay with a pre-screened host family, that includes host-siblings of a similar age.  

The experience continues in the fall when students from Guatemala come to the US for an exchange here in Chicago!  Guatemalan students will stay with Roycemore families and attend school on campus for an 8 week program.  Stop by the Information Session to learn more or contact Ana Gabriela Padilla, Program Coordinator, with any questions at:
[email protected].

Our Roycemore Second Graders finished up a unit on human rights and did some impressive brainstorming!  They came up with their own list of basic human rights they think everyone should have.  Their ideas ranged from everyone having the right to clean water, a good teacher, toys to play with, and even the right to always ask for help!  Click HERE to see their full list.

The Media Center has posted the April Books of the Month as chosen by Librarian, Karrie Fisher. Click HERE to check out the Media Center's website and get more recommendations.

Early Childhood

Creepy Pair of Underwear by Aaron Reynolds

Lower School

Wish by Barbara O'Connor

Middle School

Ghost by Jason Reynolds 

Upper School

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas 

Middle School students recently used Adobe Spark to creat videos about different countries and their National Anthems.  Adobe Spark is a free integrated suite of storytelling applications developed by Adobe Systems.  

Here is a video created by Sixth Grader, Alina, about the German National Anthem.

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