Five Commitments

Courage - Rise & Conquer

“Fear everything and run OR . . . face everything and rise.” – Jay Jay

Courage is an inner quality that becomes evident in situations where:

1. You step out of your comfort zone.
2. There is uncertainty or an unpredictable outcome.
3. You show bravery.

It’s important to have courage because in life you need to take chances if you want to go far. At Kurt Hahn students show courage by overcoming fear. For example, during Adventure Week, students overcame their fear of heights on the high ropes course, even though it was uncomfortable.

Authors: Maia, Jaquon, and Jenesse

Compassion - Caring for other is ultimately caring for yourself.

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” - Dalai Lama

Compassion is the way to help people get through their pain. It is the act of going out of your way to help the physical or emotional pains of another.

Some examples of ways that Kurt Hahn students show compassion:

• Helping people get up the hills during Adventure Week.
• Helping people to get their work done during Explore Week.
• New York Cares projects: visiting a soup kitchen and feeding the homeless.
• Supporting people with breast cancer through the Breast Cancer Walk.

Compassion is the way to show that we care for each other. Compassion doesn’t have to be physically seen, it could be felt emotionally. Compassion is feeling someone else’s pain and trying to help them get through it.

Authors: Anika, Da Rai, and Imagesty

Respect - Give it to get it.

“Seek respect, not attention. It lasts longer.” - unknown

Careful. One Mic. Thoughtful. Kind words and actions. These are a few words to define respect. Saying “good morning,” “excuse me,” “sorry,” and “Sir, Ms.” are further signs of respect. Respect varies from place to place. At Kurt Hahn, in our community, respect is displayed by students, teachers, deans, custodians, and security and by treating others the way you want to be treated. Give respect and carry yourself in a respectable manner.

Examples include:

• Calling teachers Mr./Ms. instead of by their first or last name only.
• Greeting students as they enter your classroom.
• Speaking calmly during discussions.

Responsibility
Encouragement
Stewardship
Perseverance
Effort
Courage
Trust

Authors: Kessia, Danny, Tahj, Nathaniel, and Shariff

Stewardship - We are the world.

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” - Ghandi

Helping out your peers around you is a good example of stewardship. Stewardship includes managing time and resources and is an important part of creating a forward thinking, productive environment. Ways that you can show stewardship at Kurt Hahn are:

• Community Service
• Leadership
• Participation
• Self-discipline
• Being a role model
• Maturity
• Helping out younger peers
• Helping teachers
• Cleaning after people – you want to take care of the space and respect your school property

Authors: Ayana, Rhiana, Ta Shay, and Rashanda

Perseverance - Perseverance can make a change!

“I can accept failure but I can’t accept not trying.” - Michael Jordan

Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did. Perseverance is also a key to life. Many people who persevere achieve their goals and succeed. If we don’t persevere, we are most likely to fail, and failure is not an option. At Kurt Hahn, the students show perseverance by continuing to work hard even if they feel like giving up. An example of perseverance is working to bring your grade up in a class you dislike or failed first semester. Another example of perseverance is trying to complete your work in class, regardless if you understand it at first or not. In conclusion, we should persevere through life, through school, through everything! Persevere!

Authors: Sergelyn, Tianna, Ohemah, and Jermaine