Background information Why educate families and not just students? le believe that parents are the primary teachers and the home is the primary classroom. There are two things we have observed about character. 1. Character is inspired, not imparted We cannot pour it into our students or families. Rather, we can help them S draw it out of themselves and each other. Furthermore, we cannot expect to inspire our students with a do as I say not as I do"approach. As adults, we must develop and maintain our own character if we expect children to develop theirs. 2. Site Vs Context: influence the influencers We believe that it is necessary to make a difference in parents'lives if we are going to have any lasting influence on our students. Our Family Education Program offers up opportunities to influence the context of our students'lives. by context, we refer to those influences that exist beyond the walls of a classroom We have learned that good teaching can lose out over poor parenting, regardless of how either is defined eng Dept Thus, we include parents m their children's interviews, and ask them to WHICt make a commitment to fully participate in the character development for the entire family while their child is enrolled at HydeEng Dept WHICT 2004 Background information We believe that parents are the primary teachers and the home is the primary classroom. There are two things we have observed about character: 1. Character is inspired, not imparted. We cannot pour it into our students or families. Rather, we can help them draw it out of themselves and each other. Furthermore, we cannot expect to inspire our students with a "do as I say not as I do" approach. As adults, we must develop and maintain our own character if we expect children to develop theirs. 2. Site Vs. Context: influence the influencers. We believe that it is necessary to make a difference in parents’ lives if we are going to have any lasting influence on our students. Our Family Education Program offers up opportunities to influence the context of our students’ lives. By context, we refer to those influences that exist beyond the walls of a classroom. We have learned that good teaching can lose out over poor parenting, regardless of how either is defined. Thus, we include parents in their children’s interviews, and ask them to make a commitment to fully participate in the character development for the entire family while their child is enrolled at Hyde. Why educate families and not just students?