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El Camino Fundamental » About Our School » Principal's Message
Principal's Message
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Principal Mike Stockdale
on Historic Creek Street
in Ketchikan, Alaska
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Throughout the school year, from August to June, El Camino High School will be exploring important traits of character. From brief stories and anecdotes in the daily bulletin, to classroom exercises, to lessons shared and used by teachers, to quotes, discussion items and activities in our school’s student planners, to recognizing character excellence in our students through the BIONIC (Believe It Or Not, I Care) program, we are becoming acquainted with the high quality of outstanding character.
Compassion and Tolerance
are current character traits being emphasized.
Compassion
Compassion is an interesting word. It comes from two Latin words that together mean “suffering with.” In other words, when you have compassion for someone, you suffer with them. A compassionate person feels the pain of those who suffer from being bullied or being hungry or being ill. And because he or she feels that pain (or can imagine what it feels like) there is a desire to reach out and help in some way. Like all good qualities that human beings choose to possess, having compassion helps others, but it also helps the one who is compassionate.
Wise leaders from across the globe and across the ages have understood this. The Dalai Lama, leader of Buddhists worldwide, says it this way:
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
With these thoughts in mind, teachers might lead some classroom discussions, in conjunction with the standard curriculum, along the lines of compassion. Here are some examples:
Art
Ask students to illustrate the word “compassion.” Afterward, view the works and ask for volunteers to discuss their own. What does compassion look like?
Social Studies
Ask students to research a grassroots movement or organization which they admire for its compassionate behavior. Afterward, have the students report back to the class on their chosen organization or movement. Are these types of organizations and movements vital to the success and survival of a nation? Why or why not?
Language Arts
Ask students to reflect in writing about a time when they have been shown compassion and the effect it had on them. Afterward, ask for volunteers to share and discuss.
Math
A common perception of mathematics is that it is black and white and leaves little room for gray areas such as compassion. Is this an accurate perception of mathematics? Why or why not? Can something be true yet flexible?
Science
Can science explain compassion? Ask students to do some research into this question and to share their findings in class. Do we understand what part of the body is responsible for compassion? Can we explain why some people seem to be more compassionate than others? Can compassion be a part of the nature versus nurture debate?
Technology
Do you think the Internet and the fact that human beings are communicating more and more via devices will affect our ability to be compassionate in any way? Why or why not?
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