Most parents hope their children will grow up to be self-reliant and independent adults. Parents want their children to be well-rounded, caring, and thoughtful thinkers. While mothers and fathers appreciate the need for academics, standards, and tests they know that without a sense of responsibility and discipline, all the academics in the world won’t matter. Children are not small adults that can be programmed to behave, respond, and react. Anyone who has been a parent or a teacher knows that children are naturally creative, kind, and engaging. Children are also compassionate and kindhearted with a unique quality of care for companion and farmed animals. Just take a look at elementary school text or story books and you will find a strong sense of morality based on fair play and compassion for all. Children seldom make a distinction between humans and nonhuman animals, expressing respect, dignity, and love for both. Our schools need to take advantage of this powerful bond as it can act as a catalyst for a multitude of learning experiences. Continue reading.
The relationship between children and animals was expressed so eloquently by the four sixth graders who were SWIVL Brisenia Flores Memorial Award winners. In multidimensional terms, students told their stories with both their heart and head. With pictures and words, contest winners expressed their joy and love within a climate of accountability and dedication. Students gave voice to the value they felt for their animal friends and how their relationships taught them many lessons. Students became aware of their feelings by recording and reflecting on the values and beliefs they practiced when taking care of their animals. Students expressed attention, pride, commitment, responsibility, and appreciation for their animals – all qualities we hope our children achieve.
The purpose of the SWIVL Brisenia Flores Memorial Award is to acknowledge the beauty and creative spirit of children – a spirit that was exemplified by Brisenia Flores. Brisenia’s young life was tragically taken through a brutal and senseless killing. According to SWIVL co-founder, Dr. Kathleen Wishnick, the Brisenia Flores Memorial Award not only pays tribute to Brisenia, the SWIVL Award also promotes the view that our schools need to encourage compassion, creativity, and responsible behavior in our children. Dr. Wishnick believes our schools are becoming less civil and more violent. According to Wishnick, the rush to standardize and regulate our schools has resulted in few opportunities for our children to become independent and self-reliant. Instead, Wishnick believes our schools need more parent and family involvement and more community-based partnerships.
SWIVL promotes the view that ViolenceFree can be created through empathy and compassion in a school-community culture that encourages a strong work ethic, independence, and innovation. Through compassionate behaviors, based on the Golden Rule, our schools can create student-to-student relationships that are ViolenceFree. SWIVL collaborates with parents and families, teachers and school officials, and community and business leaders, to create a culture of success where all individuals have the freedom to explore and maximize their talents and strengths. Starting with children and their families, SWIVL is committed to creating a world that believes all children have special talents that should be nurtured and valued in our school-communities. Through the Brisenia Flores Memorial Award, the relationships that children have with companion and farmed animals provide wonderful opportunities to develop caring, concerned, and compassionate behaviors. From this Award, SWIVL hopes the dreams of a little girl will be realized through the lives of other children. According to Kathleen Wishnick, we celebrate the young life of Brisenia and we hope that good people everywhere will keep her memory alive.
Yes.I love your recipe! So creative! It looks like you've had so much fun with your family. These are so great ideas.
Posted by: Coach outlet | 09/08/2011 at 06:27 PM