REPORTER STAFF WRITER

      Blue snowflakes decorating a hallway at Howe Elementary School are more than just a reminder of winter weather. The display represents the thoughts of Howe students about trustworthiness, January's focus as part of the "Character Counts" program.

      Staff and students are talking about the "six pillars of character" throughout the school year. Responsibility, respect, and caring were discussed in September, October and November. The two remaining pillars, fairness and citizenship, will be highlighted in February and March.

      Jo Bardole, Howe librarian and member of the school's "Character Counts" committee, recognizes the importance of teaching these traits at the elementary age.

      "We hope this will follow them into the high school years and on through life," Bardole said.

      Bardole and committee members Lesli Hayes, Diane Hunter, Wanda Nelson and Freda Perdue, developed Howe's program during a two-day character education workshop in June 2003.

      The teachers have been able to help the students apply their character education in the classroom, Bardole noted.

      "Situations come up and they'll ask the students, 'So, which one of the pillars of character do you think this fits with?'. This reinforces the lessons," Bardole said.

      Printed below are some of the students' ideas on the meaning of trustworthiness.

      * Preschool: "Always tell the truth, so people will believe you."

      * Kindergarten: "Always do your job!"

      "Be nice and tell the truth!"

      "Someone who knows lying is wrong, is someone you can trust to tell the truth."

      * First grade: "We shouldn't lie or cheat. We should do what we say we are going to do."

      "Being trustworthy is telling the truth, doing something you are asked to do, being dependable, being responsible, and making wise choices."

      "You want to always do the right thing, so people won't think you did it when something bad happens."

      * Second grade: "Trustworthiness is not cheating. It is returning things you borrow on time and not broken."

      "If you tell a sick friend that you will mow the lawn for them and then you do it, you are trustworthy."

      "When you make a promise to someone, you do it!"

      * Third grade: "Be honest! Follow through with what you say you will do, and make wise choices to be a trustworthy person."

      "Be a friend that people can trust and count on."

      "We think trustworthy persons keep their promises, tell the truth, don't hurt others, do what they say they will do, and make wise choices."

      * Fourth grade: "It is important to tell the truth!"

      "Trustworthiness means when my parents are gone and they say, 'No pop or junk food!', I don't have any pop or junk food."

      "Be promising: If you borrow something, you return it when you say you will. Be honest: Think before you do something you know you're not supposed to do, so you do not have to lie to get out of it."