The Nine Principles
1. INTEGRITYIntegrityII (informed byThe Mardi Gras Principles of Justice, Power and Faith) In order for our authorities to attain credibility and respect, they must be just. From the emerging relationship with just and credible authorities, members of our school communityare empowered to establish faith in themselves, in their peers and coworkers, and in the capacity of Christina Ann School to achieve its highest educational goals.
2. REPARATION We commit to understanding the complexities of our national history, to recognize that the culture of slavery transcends race and has permeated and corrupted our national culture since its inception, to identify patterns in our self concepts and interactions that are reflective of slavery and to actively counteract them with beliefs and interactions based on freedom and mutual respect. We also acknowledge that creole or blended traditions persisted due to the positive survival strategies of our ancestors, and that their existence challenges false, divisive and destructive dichotomies. Therefore, we seek to affirm these cultures and to elevate them to a place of deserved respect in our national consciousness.
3. CELEBRATION We take joy in our children and are grateful for the new beginnings that they represent. We do not despair or placidly accept the social and economic troubles of our times, as they are a natural and expected consequence of the misdeeds of the past and continued destructive patterns in the present. It is our privilege and obligation to our forefathers and mothers to seek constructive solutions. We are thankful for our awareness of negative life circumstances, as well as positive ones, and for our resulting response-ability to alter them. We relate positively with all members of the school community, take play seriously and work with a joyful spirit.
4. CLARITY We commit to academic excellence as part of the universal human quest to seek truth. Advanced facility in one or more languages is a schoolwide priority. We are honest and direct in our communications. We know that our enslaved ancestors were oppressed by deliberately dividing language groups. Therefore we respect the privilege of common language as a tool for the benefit of each individual's well-being in all aspects and for collective problem-solving and creative endeavor. We do not use innuendos and sarcasm to condescend to any members of our school community.
5. CREATIVITY We recognize that our creativity is an impartant piece of our humanity. Each member of the school community has the response-ability and invitation to develop and contribute their unique creative perspective to our quest for truth and our celebratory experience of life. Artistic expression and development of focus oand discipline through excellence in the arts are fundamental to our academic pragram.
6. RESOURCEFULNESS America's social, economic, and ecological challenges are tremendous. It is well understood that access to capital is a serious impediment to sincere and fundamental social reform. Creativity, responsibility, initiative and respect for natural resources-the bases for resourcefulness- are our available avenues to make the most with what we have. We do not see ourselves as "Have Nots" because if we are strong and honest about our identities and principles, we will possess a moral and cultural capital more permanent and valuable than money or prestige.
7. FAMILY CONNECTIONS, PAST AND PRESENT Each member of the school community will take pride in their family, their history and their cultural heritage(s). Family is indispensible to their childrens' education. Family members participate in the school community, are respected, heard and always welcome.
8. CONNECTION TO NATURE We embrace an ethic of gratitude and proper stewardship in relationship with Nature. As well as recognizing the tragic effects of climate change we appreciate that respect and appreciation of Nature is fundamental to the cultures celebrated and affirmed at the school.
9. RESPECT The foundation of respect is quality relationships. Though conventional culture often values discipline, order, rigor, focus and punctuality as inherent goods, we recognize that these stem from a climate of consideration and respect, and that their value is as tools in its service, not as a rationale for its dismantling. Often, respect looks like the other eight Principles in action.
2. REPARATION We commit to understanding the complexities of our national history, to recognize that the culture of slavery transcends race and has permeated and corrupted our national culture since its inception, to identify patterns in our self concepts and interactions that are reflective of slavery and to actively counteract them with beliefs and interactions based on freedom and mutual respect. We also acknowledge that creole or blended traditions persisted due to the positive survival strategies of our ancestors, and that their existence challenges false, divisive and destructive dichotomies. Therefore, we seek to affirm these cultures and to elevate them to a place of deserved respect in our national consciousness.
3. CELEBRATION We take joy in our children and are grateful for the new beginnings that they represent. We do not despair or placidly accept the social and economic troubles of our times, as they are a natural and expected consequence of the misdeeds of the past and continued destructive patterns in the present. It is our privilege and obligation to our forefathers and mothers to seek constructive solutions. We are thankful for our awareness of negative life circumstances, as well as positive ones, and for our resulting response-ability to alter them. We relate positively with all members of the school community, take play seriously and work with a joyful spirit.
4. CLARITY We commit to academic excellence as part of the universal human quest to seek truth. Advanced facility in one or more languages is a schoolwide priority. We are honest and direct in our communications. We know that our enslaved ancestors were oppressed by deliberately dividing language groups. Therefore we respect the privilege of common language as a tool for the benefit of each individual's well-being in all aspects and for collective problem-solving and creative endeavor. We do not use innuendos and sarcasm to condescend to any members of our school community.
5. CREATIVITY We recognize that our creativity is an impartant piece of our humanity. Each member of the school community has the response-ability and invitation to develop and contribute their unique creative perspective to our quest for truth and our celebratory experience of life. Artistic expression and development of focus oand discipline through excellence in the arts are fundamental to our academic pragram.
6. RESOURCEFULNESS America's social, economic, and ecological challenges are tremendous. It is well understood that access to capital is a serious impediment to sincere and fundamental social reform. Creativity, responsibility, initiative and respect for natural resources-the bases for resourcefulness- are our available avenues to make the most with what we have. We do not see ourselves as "Have Nots" because if we are strong and honest about our identities and principles, we will possess a moral and cultural capital more permanent and valuable than money or prestige.
7. FAMILY CONNECTIONS, PAST AND PRESENT Each member of the school community will take pride in their family, their history and their cultural heritage(s). Family is indispensible to their childrens' education. Family members participate in the school community, are respected, heard and always welcome.
8. CONNECTION TO NATURE We embrace an ethic of gratitude and proper stewardship in relationship with Nature. As well as recognizing the tragic effects of climate change we appreciate that respect and appreciation of Nature is fundamental to the cultures celebrated and affirmed at the school.
9. RESPECT The foundation of respect is quality relationships. Though conventional culture often values discipline, order, rigor, focus and punctuality as inherent goods, we recognize that these stem from a climate of consideration and respect, and that their value is as tools in its service, not as a rationale for its dismantling. Often, respect looks like the other eight Principles in action.