Taylor traits everyone can live by

What are the Taylor Traits?

Before the 2022-2023 school year, Taylor reached out to its entire community of staff, students, parents and caregivers to ask the question “What behaviors and habits would our students need everyday to be their most successful learner?”

Replies came in that sounded much like these:

“Kids should feel comfortable/safe, treat each other with kindness”

“Making mistakes is how we learn”

“Treat others the way you want to be treated”

“Caring and accepting of everyone”

“Kindness, empathy and understanding”

From the community responses, the Taylor Traits were born: Kind, Determined and Safe. During the 2023-2024 school year, Inclusive was added upon suggestion from two 5th grade students and now the traits read Kind, Inclusive, Determined and Safe (K.I.D.S.).

These traits are woven into all of our conversations about how our students act and belong in our community. Each day during morning announcements, students are reminded to be kind, be inclusive, act with determination, and to be safe. Signs in the hallways remind students of the traits. Staff wear t-shirts with the K.I.D.S. motto and teachers send K.I.D.S. postcards to acknowledge when students exemplify traits in their classrooms.

Every month, one student from each grade is recognized in front of the school as a “Thoughtful Tiger” – someone who is caught demonstrating one or more of the traits during their school day.

What exactly does K.I.D.S. mean?

To be kind means to

• Treat others how we would like to be treated
• Help each other
  

  Taylor students were recognized as “Thoughtful Tigers” in September for demonstrating the Taylor traits.

• Consider others’ thoughts, perspectives and feelings
• Listen with an open mind

To be inclusive means to

• Treat everyone with equal respect and understanding
• Make others feel valued and welcomed
• Act without biases and judgements
• Honor everyone’s voice

To be determined means to

• Try, even when it is difficult
• Do our best
• Be present and engaged
• Create goals and strive to achieve them

To be safe means to

• Care for our physical and mental well-being
• Respect others’ personal space and belongings
• Communicate and respect boundaries
• Know and follow procedures
  

  Signs around the school remind students of the traits throughout their day.