7th Grade Class Covenant -- A Deep Dive on Respect

The 7th graders put forth much effort and dedicated much time to this year's class covenant. It is not something new to them, but they thought about it deeply anyways. The creation you see below is this year's 7th grade class covenant:

The Class Covenant may simply look like a piece of paper, but it's a culmination of much thought and planning. Earlier in the year, students conversed about what truths they would like to hold themselves accountable to. The students decided, after much deliberation, that it is appropriate and timely to focus on "Respect." Developmentally, 7th grade students yearn for respect. They are on the cusp of being the leaders of the school and are looking onwards to high school, and with both of those things respect is often given. 7th graders also want respect, and it's key for them to receive it. The students decided that since that is the case, it should be the focus of our covenant to practice giving and receiving respect. Look at some of the words that students wrote on the covenant. You'll notice that many, if not all of the words, tie closely with the idea of respect.

Respect is important, and the 7th graders have been holding true to that this year.

Students considered the various ways they can be respectful and landed on three pillars of respect: respect towards ourselves, respect towards others, and respect towards our space.

Let me just say that I have been consistently impressed with the respect these 7th graders have been showing themselves, others, and our space with a heavy emphasis on the first two. I love to watch the students interact with each other and see new friendships form and shape.

I am privileged to play witness to the tangible social and emotional growth of these students. Thanks for sharing them with me, 

           -- Brent Harris