The document discusses the concept of Minarets High School being like a family. It defines family as both a group related by blood or marriage and also as people united by loyalty and intimacy. At Minarets, students and staff can be like a family by being united in their pride for the school and supporting each other. Examples are given of how the Minarets family can help with concerns, problems, ideas and goals. Students say the teachers care about them and want them to succeed. The document also discusses the importance of core values both for individuals and for schools, and how having a student body that lives by strong values can create a more harmonious environment and help the campus be a better place.

1. The Meaning of “Family”
and Core Values.
Why they are important in becoming a well
rounded individual.

2. Are we a family at
Minarets?
Last year we referred to our student body and staff as a family from time to
time.
Some people questioned the use of that term and some thought that it was
too strong.
Well, lets get rid of all of that uncertainty and examine why a school like ours
could be compared to a family.

3. What is a family?
The primary definitions for family are:
A group consisting of parents and children living together in a household
or a group of people related to one another by blood or marriage.
Minarets does not replace this kind of family and it never will.
However...

4. Minarets Family
Another definition of family is: A person or people
related to one and so to be treated with a special
loyalty and intimacy.
At Minarets, we can be LIKE a family in that we are
united by our great school and we relate to each other
through our loyalty and respect.
We can be LIKE a family in that we are proud of our
combined talents and we will lift each other up when
we are down.

5. What can your Minarets
family do for you?
Get into groups of four to create a mini poster.
You will need a pen (preferably a few different colors), a piece of paper, and
a positive attitude.
1) You are going to create a poster that reflects your interpretation of what
the term family means to you.
2) On the paper write Six words that best describe how Minarets can have a
“family” atmosphere.
3) Draw an abstract picture that both shows school spirit and portrays
Minarets as a positive place.
4) Write one aspect that can have a positive impact on this “family”
atmosphere and one negative aspect that could negatively impact our
school.
You have ten minutes to finish and then present to the class.

6. Examples
•Help you with a concern or
problems.
•Help you with new ideas
and goals
•Resolve any conflicts
•Sometimes we all need a
high five or hug
•We all need several families:
Home, work, school, friends,
etc. to make it through life’s
challenges.

7. What do the students
say?
“I love that our family is growing and will continue
to grow. Yes it's going to be challenging to open
up our hearts and minds to new members of the
family, but we have gotten through it and will
continue to get through it. I love that we can go to
any student on campus and know that they're our
brother or sister. Minarets is not just a school, it's
a home. A safe home that welcomes everyone."
“Minarets is like a family in the sense that the
teachers care about you and how you do. They
want to see you succeed, for your own benefit,
not their own. They also take great strides to
make sure that students enjoy their assignments.
This shows me as a student that they really do
care about me. And that makes all the difference
in the world.”

8. Core Values
We will answer these in groups of
four, then a representative from
each group will come up to the
board and write part of their group’s
answer.
What are values? What are core
values?
Why is it important for an individual
to have values? Why is it important
for a school to have students that
hold strong core values?

9. Values Defined
A person's principles or
standards of behavior; one's
judgment of what is
important in life.
Everyone has a set of core
values which drives them in
life.

10. Why are values
important?
The way you carry yourself matters. People around you are influenced by
the attitude that you have.
If we have a student and staff body, that lives by a strict code of values, we
will have a more harmonious environment.
If you hold true to your core values, it will be harder for you to compromise
those values and make harmful decisions.

11. Making our campus a
better place.
If we all hold true to
the family concept
and the core value
concept, our campus
will be a better place
for it.
We are fortunate to
have such a great
school and it is up to
us to keep it that way.