Flags of Virtue
The Burlington Day School community believes that by having a few clearly stated guidelines, the members of the school family will understand the expectations placed upon each of them and, in the end, will help the school year to be a successful one.
The overarching premise from which our Code of Conduct emerges states:
I will be respectful of myself, others, and the environment.
Following this premise, the school community has made a commitment to five virtues represented by flags which are presented to the rising 8th graders at our final awards assembly each year. These virtues are:
Courage: Courage has been defined as that state of mind that allows one to act with moral strength, confidence, and resolution. For us it also means having the conviction to do what one knows is right every day.
Friendship: A friend is one who is there to support, listen, care, and not to pass judgement. Strong friendships develop over time at Burlington Day School, and these relationships last a lifetime.
Honesty: Honesty is at the root of all positive relationships. Trust, loyalty, and friendship are built upon honesty.
Loyalty: Loyalty is faithfulness to friends, a cause, a team, and the school. It is honoring a commitment even when it may not be the popular or fun thing to do.
Responsibility: Responsibility means following through with one's commitments, knowing the rules, being accountable for one's actions, and not accepting excuses.
These virtues are emphasized throughout not only our academic program, but our athletic program as well. We encourage our students to incorporate these qualities in all aspects of their lives. Recently, BDS received the following commendation from a mother of an opposing tennis team player:
"I just wanted to write and tell you how impressed I was with a couple of kids from the Burlington Day School Tennis team yesterday. My daughter, who is very new to tennis, played her first match yesterday. Her and a teammate were paired together to play a doubles match against a pair from the Burlington Day School. I'm sorry I don't know their names but I believe they might have been the only coed doubles team that played. He is very tall...if that helps. At any rate, the kids were delightful. He would even genuinely say "nice try" to our players when they tried but missed a shot. The girl on your team would smile the biggest smile when she served the ball into the box...not gloating in any way...just excited with her accomplishment. They were just a joy to watch! Our daughter was able to get her feet wet with her first tennis match and both she and I were thrilled that she got the chance to play such nice kids. The kids were such gracious winners and I think epitomize good sportsmanship.
It is wonderful to be in a league with such wonderful players. Not only does is make matches more fun because you are cheering for all the kids...not just the ones on your team but it helps all the kids really develop a love for the game of tennis."
