Virtues in Practice - The Year of Faith
Thursday, September 22, 2011
St. Joseph School introduced a new virtues program called
Virtues in Practice (VIP). Grades K-8 study the same virtue
each month, to provide a whole-school (and, at home, whole-family)
focus. The program covers 27 virtues over a three-year cycle.
These three years emphasize and are named for the three
theological virtues. The year of FAITH focuses on Catholic
devotions and the idea that "faith works" (Gal 5:6), by a
school-wide emphasis on service projects. The year of HOPE
emphasizes study skills, because in order to fulfill His plan for
our lives we need to develop the talents God has given us.
The year of CHARITY emphasizes community, particularly how
students interact with one another, because "he who does not love
his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen"
(1 Jn 4:20).
Virtue is not something just to know, but to do. Virtues in
Practice emphasizes role-playing in the classroom so that students
can practice how to act when using a particular virtue, as well as
monthly projects designed to invite students to strengthen
themselves in the virtue of the month by practicing it in real
situations. Since parents are the primary educators of their
children, VIP respects their role by placing individualized
conversations about a child's character in the care of the parent.
The projects rarely involve making a product; they usually involve
a discussion and a behavior goal to help increase the student's
virtue. In grades K-5, students complete a project each month
in conversation with parents. Students in grades 6-8 may
complete their projects with parents or with their friends.
This year St. Joseph School is beginning the Year of Faith.
May God increase our faith!