Monday, October 6, 2008

Knightly Knights Follow Code of Conduct

by Kristi Hatch
SJHS Staff Writer

“At Springville Junior High we are effective communicators, responsible citizens, and successful learners.” That code of conduct, or the “Knights’ Code,” is repeated after the pledge of allegiance each Monday at Springville Junior High School. This code of conduct explains about the goals at SJHS.

The Knights’ Code is very important to a lot of people at SJHS. Kara Dunn, an eighth grader, said it “helps me be better.” Jim Anderson, a pre-algebra and algebra teacher, said that “it is a great outline of how we should approach schooling.”

Teachers and students talked about what it means to be an effective communicator, a responsible citizen, and a successful learner. Effective communicators listen and “effectively communicate their feelings, thoughts, and emotions,” said David Knudsen, a vice principal at SJHS. Responsible citizens “do the right things for the right reasons,” Jim Anderson said. “To be a successful learner, you need to be prepared, and be on time,” said Samantha Child, a seventh grader at SJHS.

The Knights’ Code greatly affects the students. “If everybody follows [the Knights’ Code], the school’s not as chaotic,” explained Samantha Child. It affects the teachers as well. “Each time I hear it, I am reminded that education is not just learning math… It is learning to become a productive member of society,” said Jim Anderson.

Not only is it a motto to help build good members of society, it’s also in Utah State Law 53A-13-109. David Hansen, a history teacher at SJHS, explained that we have the responsibility to “develop our character” so we can keep our freedom. He pointed out that the Knights’ Code of SJHS is actually in the law. Utah State Law 53A-13-109 states “public schools fulfill a vital purpose in the preparation of succeeding generations of informed and responsible citizens who are deeply attached to essential democratic values and institutions, and the happiness and security of American society relies upon the public virtue of its citizens which requires a united commitment to a moral social order where self-interests are willingly subordinated to the greater common good.”

Everyone has their opinion on the Knights’ Code. “I think it’s very important for us to have the Knights’ Code,” said Kara Dunn. Samantha Child said she really likes our Knights’ Code. Administration hopes that through the Knights’ Code, the students will build helpful characteristics and goals. The Knights’ Code of Springville Junior High School is there to build the future citizens of America.