Dear CSA District Families,

Each year, we launch the school year with a district-wide theme that unites us from preschool through high school. Sometimes, this theme celebrates a milestone or momentous occasion in our District’s journey. Other years, it highlights a core philosophy, an essential practice, or a foundational character trait that guides our shared work.

As we looked back on the many accomplishments of the past year and looked ahead to the opportunities before us, one commitment consistently stood out: our dedication to educating the whole child, which includes a strong focus on character development.

‍Watch your thoughts, for they become your words.
Watch your words, for they become your actions.
Watch your actions, for they become your habits.
Watch your habits, for they become your character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

‍So, what is character and why does it matter?

Angela Duckworth, a leading psychologist and the founder of Character Lab, offers insight that feels especially relevant today. She writes:

‍“Aristotle conjectured that character is the sum of our acquired habits. Good character, he argued, is consistently acting, thinking, and feeling in ways that are beneficial to others as well as ourselves.”

‍Modern research echoes these ancient ideas. While definitions may vary, one truth remains clear: character is not singular, it’s plural. It’s built, shaped, and refined over time through our choices, our challenges, and our relationships.

Duckworth identifies three families of character strengths:
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• Strengths of heart encourage positive relationships and civic responsibility.
• Strengths of mind foster curiosity, critical thinking, and intellectual engagement.
  
• Strengths of will build resilience, perseverance, and the drive to pursue meaningful goals.
  

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Character isn’t something we’re born with, it’s something we grow. As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Character building begins in our infancy and continues until death.” Our job, especially during these formative school years, is to nurture it intentionally.
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This year, let’s continue to be intentional and deepen our collective focus. Let’s infuse every lesson, every hallway interaction, every challenge, and every celebration with character. Let’s model it, teach it, and elevate it in our classrooms and across our campuses. Because in the end, students may not remember every fact we taught, but they will remember how we made them feel, how we believed in them, and how we helped them grow into the best version of themselves.

Here’s to a year inspired and led by Character—Heart, Mind, and Will.

‍In partnership with you,
‍
Jessica Moceri‍