{"id":15022,"date":"2025-10-20T01:04:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T08:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/oldriver\/?p=15022"},"modified":"2025-10-02T13:22:31","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T20:22:31","slug":"developing-great-citizens-with-character-counts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/oldriver\/2025\/10\/20\/developing-great-citizens-with-character-counts\/","title":{"rendered":"Developing Great Citizens with Character Counts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>At Downey Unified, education isn\u2019t just about grades \u2014 it\u2019s about helping kids grow into kind, responsible, and community-minded people. That\u2019s why the <strong>Character Counts!<\/strong> program is at the heart of every school in our district. From kindergarten through graduation, students learn values that guide how they treat others, make decisions, and contribute to the world around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/alameda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/CarachterCountsWeek.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15997\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Six Pillars of Character<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Character Counts! is built on six timeless values:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Trustworthiness<\/strong> \u2013 Be honest, reliable, and loyal.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Respect<\/strong> \u2013 Value others and treat everyone with kindness.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Responsibility<\/strong> \u2013 Own your actions and always try your best.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fairness<\/strong> \u2013 Play by the rules and keep an open mind.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Caring<\/strong> \u2013 Show compassion, gratitude, and empathy.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Citizenship<\/strong> \u2013 Be a positive part of your community, help others, and protect our shared world.<br><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/alameda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/10\/Capture-1024x179.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15996\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Citizenship Matters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Citizenship is more than just knowing the rules \u2014 it\u2019s about being an active, positive force in the community. Whether it\u2019s helping a classmate, taking part in service projects, or caring for our environment, Downey Unified students learn that their actions have the power to make a real difference. When kids see themselves as contributors, not just participants, they develop a sense of purpose that goes far beyond the classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At Downey Unified, we know that when students practice these Six Pillars, they grow into confident, caring leaders who make their schools \u2014 and their communities \u2014 better places for everyone. Because when character counts, we all win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more about character counts at: <a href=\"https:\/\/charactercounts.org\/\">https:\/\/charactercounts.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Character Counts Week is Oct. 19\u201325! Downey Unified celebrates kindness, responsibility &#038; character in every student.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":81,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15022","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news-announcements"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\r\n<title>Developing Great Citizens with Character Counts | Old River Elementary<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Character Counts Week is Oct. 19\u201325! 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