Mill Valley School District

Balanced

• I know that to feel a sense of well-being or comfort, I have to live a balanced life. That means I can’t do one thing so much that I don’t do other things.  I can’t just do school work or just be with friends.  I have to do some of each. 
• I do both physical activities like playing sports or taking a walk and non-physical activities like reading a book or playing games on-line.
• I also take care of my emotional needs. I spend time with people who I care about and who care about me, and I can identify and express my feelings in ways that don’t harm me or others.

Critical Thinkers

• I think about things I read, see, or hear and consider what else I know about these things and where I have learned about them before. 
• I also think about the information I read and hear to figure out what it means and to decide if it is real and true. 
• I use information and experience to think about what I am learning in order to make my own decisions or reach my own conclusions about the information.
• I think about new things I learn in creative ways.  I can imagine original and unusual solutions to problems. 

Collaborative

• When working with others, I make an effort to find ways to build respect between people, so the work is productive. 
• I understand that many different perspectives help solve complicated problems.  I listen to other’s ideas, share my own ideas, and develop shared solutions.

 Communicators 

• When people speak to me, I listen carefully and reflect on what they say.
• I express my own ideas and share information clearly, confidently, and thoughtfully in writing and when speaking.
• I can speak clearly and respectfully in small and large groups, during discussions, and in front of different audiences.
• I select and use technology and media to communicate respectfully and effectively with diverse audiences.

Courageous

• When I am faced with a challenge, I think about possible ways I could handle it.  Once I determine what needs to be done, I focus on doing it, and I use resources to help me.
• I recognize that things don’t always work out, so if I fail, I don’t give up.  Instead, I try again, sometimes in new ways.  
• I take responsible action.

Empathetic

• I can see situations through the perspective of others.
• I am committed to doing service as a way of showing my compassion and respect.

Inquirers

• I wonder about the world around me and ask questions.
• I am curious, observant.
• I use resources to investigate questions.

Knowledgeable

• I read about topics that interest me at home and topics assigned in class.  I read books and online resources and watch videos about issues and ideas that connect me to the world. 
• I ask questions to understand the topics better.
• I think about what I am learning, talk to others, and write about my thinking to help me make sense of what I am learning and understand what it means.

Open-Minded

• I know that I can grow and change when I am aware of my own perspective and how it influences my thinking. 
• I respectfully seek to understand different points of view because it helps me understand the world better.

Principled

• I am honest and trustworthy.
• I take responsibility for my actions.
• I understand what it means to be fair and work to make things fair for others. 
• I understand what justice is and why it is important.  I work to bring justice to others.

Perseverant

• I see challenges as opportunities to grow. I am able to start things on my own and use self-discipline to keep going. 
• When things get hard, I continue to be respectful as I work on the challenge before me.

Reflective

• I think about my experiences and what they mean to me.
• I know that others can also help me think about my experiences, so I accept and appreciate the feedback. 
• I use new understanding to help me grow and work towards my goals.