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The world is more than our classroom; it
is our responsibility to embrace, explore, appreciate and care
for so that we can create a brighter future for all.
Abiqua School exists to facilitate life-long learning active,
interactive, engaged and engaging learning. We strive to
cultivate a safe, healthy, open and affirming environment
conducive to the education of the whole child intellectual,
physical, emotional, artistic, ethical and social. We endeavor
to instill in our students a passion for life-long learning,
community service and social action.
At Abiqua, education is more than mastering skills and acquiring
knowledge. It is developing and sustaining the natural wonder,
curiosity, love of learning, motivation and resilience in every
child while challenging each child to think critically and
creatively, to understand deeply, to integrate fully, to prove
confidently, and to develop the perseverance and strength of
character to live meaningful lives as purposeful citizens of a
pluralistic society.
These are the
values that guide our conduct, choices and actions:
HONOR We believe in
integrity rooted in truth and fairness. To know right from
wrong, our responsibility is to work hard, to learn, to
understand, to be fearless in asking, trying and challenging. To
have the courage of our convictions, we strive for
self-awareness and self-discipline. To recognize and protect the
rights of others, we work towards a wholehearted understanding
of our human connection to each other.
EMPATHY We believe being
aware and sensitive to the feelings, thoughts, needs and
experience of another, and caring about the welfare of others is
essential to being a decent person. The best way to understand
others is by learning to see the world from another's point of
view and appreciating different perspectives. Motivated by the
belief that every human being is valuable and worthy of our
compassion, we listen, we pay attention, we work for mutual
understanding, we foster kindness, we practice generosity, we
express gratitude.
ACCOUNTABILITY We believe
in a strong sense of duty to self, family, the larger community
and the environment. We consider the consequences of our
decisions and actions, and we accept full responsibility for
them. As we imagine and prepare for our future, we honor our
past and mindfully treasure our present. We keep our promises
and commitments. We fulfill trust and obligations. We show
initiative and follow through. We do more than our fair share
we go above and beyond. We set high standards and meet high
expectations.
RESPECT We believe each
person is an individual with inherent worth. We value the
dignity, talents, contributions, achievements, opinions and
perspectives of others. We know our own self-worth. We hold our
peers, parents and teachers in high regards. We take care of our
belongings and show consideration for the property of others
including public property.
TEAMWORK We believe in
inclusiveness, cooperation, collaboration and healthy
competition. We are committed to fair play and peacefully
resolving conflicts. We are a team of individuals who understand
the need for coming together, sharing together, trying together,
succeeding together to advance the common good and to serve our
local and global community. At Abiqua, there is no bullying and
peers pressure you to be true to yourself.
These are not just complex high-level ideals; they are an
integral part of the Abiqua education in the form of our
H.E.A.R.T Skills curriculum. These values are introduced in
kindergarten then elaborated upon and reinforced throughout each
school year at Abiqua.
Abiqua students begin their school week with Family Time where
multi-age activities and discussion are designed to encourage
respect for one another. Family Time allows students to listen
to stories, dramatize concepts, present knowledge and enjoy
guest speakers. Family Time closes with the Abiqua pledge:
Today I will honor peoples difference.
I will do unto others as I want done to me.
People and their property will be safe.
I will show good sportsmanship in what I say, play and do.
At Abiqua we have fun.
Abiqua School is committed to having cultural cross-section
of students, faculty and governing body. The school considers
applications for admission as well as board and staff selection
without regard to race, religion, ethnic group or gender. We are
dedicated to making inclusiveness, fairness and justice obvious
in our school community. We strive to foster all aspects of
diversity in our school community, including family
configuration. We believe in acknowledging, sharing and
embracing our differences while discovering all that we have in
common.
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