How wonderful it would be if we could help our children and grandchildren to learn thanksgiving at an early age. Thanksgiving opens the doors. It changes a child's personality. A child is resentful, negative—or thankful. Thankful children want to give, they radiate happiness, they draw people.

Sir John Templeton

It is hard to believe that we are already in the month of November. The beautiful weather of late has added to a sense of a never-ending summer, but it has indeed ended and we are certainly well into the school year. I am very pleased to report that the year seems to be going extremely well as I see students and staff doing great work as I visit the schools.

November has two very important holidays, Veterans’ Day and Thanksgiving, both of which should serve as great learning opportunities for our students. Hopefully these days will be more than just “days off from school," but also a time for reflection on character traits such as respect, citizenship and empathy for others who may be less fortunate. As we think about the lessons to be learned from these holidays, as well the quote shown above, they serve as a reminder of why the district’s Framework for Excellence includes a priority component related to character development. (The Framework identifiesrespect, empathy, personal responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness and citizenship as core character traits.)

It is very intentional that the framework incorporates character development as fundamental to the education of students in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. As successful as we are by almost every measure, if we fail to teach (and to model) these six elements of strong character, we will have fallen short in the preparation of our students for the personal and professional roles they will assume later in life. Many of our students will be future leaders in multiple fields including education, business, law, science, health and government, tackling the challenges and the opportunities of a globalized society. While students will end up with widely differing skills, interests, abilities and  political views, what they need in common are core values and strong character that can be counted on regardless of the issues they face.

The November holidays provide a unique opportunity for both home and school to guide reflection on the meaning of these days and to reinforce the character traits we hope to see in all of our young people. This task falls to all of us, as we owe it to our students to provide encouragement and purposeful direction so they can be ethical, successful and happy adults. Taking on this charge, as this community and school district does, makes this a very special place for children to be raised.

Thank you for reading. Have a great month of November.

Steven Enoch

Superintendent of Schools