Character & Excellence Coffee Chat Presentation

Character & Excellence

Brain Dump ● What is good? ● What gives you pause? ● What are any other overarching questions you have coming into today?

5 Whys Ask yourself why? Why did you come here today?

Why? Why? Why? Why? (find our root cause/meaning)

Alignment ● Mission To offer an exceptional education intentionally crafted for boys Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade. ● Vision Educating boys for life and preparing each young man to fulfill his noble purpose. ● Motto BE HONEST. BE KIND. BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE.® ● Portrait of an Academy Boy Scholarship, Leadership, Integrity, Brotherhood

State of Enhancement - February 1 San Antonio Academy believes students thrive when they are known, valued, and supported to grow into their best self. As part of our ongoing work to bring our Portrait of an Academy Boy and our school motto - Be Honest, Be Kind, and Be the Best You Can Be© - to life, we are introducing a numerical Character and Excellence (Conduct) grade.

What this means for our students All students will begin each week with a “100%” in Character and Excellence, reflecting our assumption that every boy is capable of meeting our standards.

The standards used for measuring Character and Excellence are identified, clear, objective, and will be explained to the boys. If expectations are not met, a numerical deduction will be applied consistently and transparently. This approach reinforces integrity, teaches that actions have weight, and positions our teachers as coaches of character - supporting boys as they learn, correct, and grow.

Grades are reset weekly, giving students a fresh start while also ensuring faculty have the opportunity to provide the student/family immediate and honest feedback.

The 7 Behaviors of Focus 1.

2.

3.

4.

Engaged & Goal-Oriented (Off-Task or Distracted) Proactive & Ready (Unprepared) Constructive Participation (Mild Disruption) Professional & Open Demeanor (Disrespectful Tone/Body Language) 5. Mindful Digital Citizenship (Inappropriate Use of Tech) 6. Interpersonal Respect (Disrespect toward Peers/Adults) 7. Inclusive & Collaborative (Exclusionary Behavior)

Why are these important?

Without strong executive function, individuals may struggle with disorganization, forgetfulness, and difficulty managing emotions or impulses, making it harder to function independently or collectively.

What we are doing 1. Clear expectations 2. Day to day tracking 3. Faculty to student feedback 4. Grade level teach discussions 5. Student self evaluation and reflection 6. Identification of skills training

Sample of Instructional Content Skills Skillls ● Content ● Executive functioning

Executive Functioning Skillls ● Content ● Executive functioning

Sample Character and Education Skills Content Engaged & Goal-Oriented (Off-Task or Distracted) ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

I can recognize when my attention shifts away from the task.

I can identify what is distracting me (peer, device, thoughts, environment).

I can use a strategy (deep breath, timer, movement, refocus phrase) to reset.

I can begin work within one minute of directions being given.

I can break assignments into smaller steps and complete one step at a time.

I can set a short-term goal for a work block and monitor my progress.

I can reflect on whether I met my goal and adjust my strategy next time.

How does this translate in life?

San Antonio Academy: 3-8th grade (Modeled and Emerging)

High School Measurement (Guided)

College and Beyond Measurement (Self-Directed)

Skill Area Engaged & Goal-Oriented (Off-Task or Distracted)

Completion of "Exit Tickets" and meeting incremental project deadlines set by the teacher.

Degree audits and meeting long-term milestones in independent research or capstone projects.

Proactive & Ready (Unprepared)

Coming to class with a charged laptop, notebooks, and required readings out on the desk.

Engagement with "Office Hours" and seeking tutoring before a failing grade occurs in a term.

Constructive Participation (Mild Disruption)

Participation points for raising a hand or answering "cold calls."

Socratic Seminar grades or "Discussion Board" requirements where posts must cite peer-reviewed sources.

Professional & Open Demeanor (Disrespectful Tone/Body Language)

Observations of body language and tone during interactions with staff and administration.

"Fitness for Profession" evaluations and adherence.

Mindful Digital Citizenship (Inappropriate Use of Tech)

Interpersonal Respect (Disrespect toward Peers/Adults)

Inclusive & Collaborative (Exclusionary Behavior)

Adherence to "Acceptable Use Policies" (AUP); Academic Integrity hearings regarding AI usage, monitoring of school-issued devices and learning "Netiquette" in online forums, and your public LinkedIn management systems. Usage in compliance with Honor presence.

Code.

Behavioral referrals or "Citizenship" grades on report cards; conflict resolution. Honor code violations and Professional reputation among faculty/peers; ability to council reviews. Alternative education placement. navigate high-stakes disagreements without intervention.

Suspension(s).

Teacher-assigned roles in group work (e.g., "Leader," Multi-directional peer evaluations and 360-degree "Scribe") with a shared group grade. Character exclusion feedback tools that impact individual promotion. policy review for disciplinary action.

SASS Process Skillls ● Content ● Executive functioning

San Antonio Academy Young Men of Character & Excellence