Core Values Defined

We agree that every child has the human and civil right to an education. We also agree that all children have the desire and capacity to learn and do their best in an environment that supports their inherent dignity and is needs-based.

We treat the children in our care in a principled manner, that respects their agency and nurtures their need for engagement, support, and learning.

Observable behaviors:

1. We engage students and parents in setting goals for students engagement and success.
2. We collaborate in setting expectations and ensure they are in a format that best meets the needs of the student.
3. We consistently demonstrate respect in our communications and in our behavior.
4. We give students space for mistakes.
5. We show vulnerability, acknowledge when we are wrong, apologize when appropriate, and forgive when needed.
6. We consult with students to see what they need, talk with them about how things are perceived, and get their input on important issues.

What we mean by this:

Show respect for students. Recognize that students have the right to learn and should have a voice in their success. We engage staff to ensure they support the individual learning needs of students and help students feel a part of their learning growth.

Lead by example. Treat others the way we want to be treated. Model the behavior we expect of others in day-to-day actions, and our interactions.

Model grace and empathy at all levels of the organization. Give people allowances for mistakes. Assume good intentions, avoid hidden agendas, show vulnerability, apologize when appropriate, forgive when needed.

Not all children are alike, and we value that.
The foundation of our work is the necessity to Identify the best environment for growth for each student and to focus on their individualized learning needs.
This is how we ensure the success of our students.Observable behaviors:

1. We meet with each student and parent to identify their learning needs and education goals.
2. We structure conversations to allow for an inclusion of views.
3. We structure our decision-making processes to enable collaboration.
4. We share responsibility for finding solutions and accountability for results.
5. We actively seek dialogue, finding the right way to engage individuals. We ask curious questions to gain insight and understanding.
6. We have tough conversations and acknowledge difficult input.

What we mean by this:

Engage liberally with students and parents and encourage them to share their issues and concerns. We present options and ensure everyone has a clear understanding of decisions made and expectations. We seek to make parents from diverse backgrounds comfortable in sharing and communicating with us. We communicate regularly and in ways parents need.

Look for solutions, not just problems. We seek measurable accountable plans and ensure everyone knows the role we all play in a student’s success.

We encourage collaboration, bringing people into the conversation and practicing active listening.
We take risks and are willing to be wrong.
Observable behaviors:
1. We are willing to take risks and allow space for “creative ideas.”
2. We structure our decision-making processes to enable collaboration.
3. We share responsibility for finding win-win solutions and accountability for results.
4. We actively seek dialogue, finding the right way to engage students, parents and staff.
We ask curious questions to gain insight and understanding.
5. We have tough conversations and acknowledge critical input.
What we mean by this:
Engage liberally with students, families, leaders, and peers especially when you see that some are silent or need time to participate.
Reach out to communicate with them especially those that you hear less from or are less extroverted. Endeavor to knock down walls, not build silos.

Practice active listening with students, families, leaders, and peers. Listen attentively with the intent to understand.
Active listening means repeating what you think you heard to check that you understood, it means asking curious questions to gather insights and understanding,
it means acknowledging other’s perspective and ideas with sincerity. Demonstrate this through verbal and non-verbal cues. Be open to dialogue and feedback you receive.

Look for solutions, not just problems. Present and address problems in a way that promotes discussion and resolution.
Have the courage to deliver bad news accurately to generate solutions

We believe that every human being has dignity and is worthy of respect. This underlies our approach to needs-based services and support and informs our approach to working with each other and with our stakeholders.

Observable behaviors:
1. We engage staff in decisions that impact them and stay connected with staff as decisions are made.
2. We express gratitude for the contributions of staff across all functions of the organization.
3. We consistently demonstrate respect in our communications and in our behavior.
4. We give people space for mistakes.
5. We show vulnerability, acknowledge when we are wrong, apologize when appropriate, and forgive when needed.
6. We consult with staff to see what they need, talk with them about how things are perceived, and get their input on important issues.
What we mean by this:
Show respect for staff. Recognize that our staff are the organization’s greatest asset and make investments in them.
Commit to making BCCS a place where people want to come to work, staff are valued and productive, and people are happier.
Lead by example. Treat others the way we want to be treated. Model the behavior we expect of others in day-to-day actions, in our tone, and our interactions.
Model grace and empathy up and down the chain of command. Give people space for mistakes. Assume good intentions, avoid hidden agendas,
show vulnerability, apologize when appropriate and forgive when needed.

We acknowledge that a competent workforce is vital to our ability to meet and live our mission, and to support our students to learn and grow.
Staff members who display the core skills of compassion, empathy, and commitment to be of service to others will help support our students to live full, meaningful, and happy lives.
Observable behaviors:
1. We look for staff who have the competencies to effectively make a difference in the lives of others.
2. We look for staff who represent the diversity of our community and the students we support.
3. We support our staff who are experiencing bias by peers, students, or families by interceding and protecting them from mistreatment.
4. We provide our staff with the tools and resources they need to be successful.
5. We look for opportunities to solicit staff feedback and engage them in decisions that impact their ability to do their work effectively.
What we mean by this:
Identify the skills needed to be successful and pursue candidates with those skills. We challenge our biases to ensure we are selecting those who will be successful regardless of race, gender, LGBTQIA+, age, disability, etc.
We identify opportunities for professional growth and help staff consider their career path and the skills needed to achieve their goals.
We don’t tolerate bias, prejudice and discrimination, harassment or bullying by anyone within the organization (managers, supervisors, staff, peers, students, families, etc.) and we intercede to protect our staff from mistreatment.
We listen and seek feedback. We assess the needs of staff and hold ourselves accountable for the resources available to staff and in engaging staff in conversations on how to find effective solutions.

Our ability to meet our goals and objectives is rooted in our ability to build trust with our staff, with our students and with their parents.
Demonstrating that we have their best interests at heart and that we look to solve problems and make decisions that support ongoing growth and engagement. Communication is essential to building trust and we will engage with all stakeholders to ensure that we are actively seeking their input.
Observable behaviors:
1. We are willing to take risks and allow space for “creative ideas.”
2. We structure our decision-making processes to enable collaboration.
3. We share responsibility for finding solutions and accountability for results.
4. We actively seek dialogue, finding the right way to engage individuals. We ask curious questions to gain insight and understanding.
5. We practice active listening.
6. We have tough conversations and acknowledge difficult input.
What we mean by this:
Engage liberally with leaders, peers, and staff especially when you see that some are silent or need time to participate. Reach out to communicate with them, especially those that you hear less from or are less extroverted in their communications. Endeavor to knock down walls, not build silos.

Practice active listening Listen attentively with the intent to understand. Active listening means repeating what you think you heard to check that you understood, it means asking curious questions to gather insights and understanding, it means acknowledging other’s perspective and ideas with sincerity. Demonstrate this through verbal and non-verbal cues. Be open to dialogue and feedback you receive.

Look for solutions, not just problems. Present and address problems in a way that promotes discussion and resolution. Have the courage to deliver bad news accurately to generate solutions.

We advance equity, foster equitable opportunity, and address inequality within our organization and in our work.
Observable behaviors:
1. We find solutions to structural impediments that interfere with equity in our organization.
2. We have transparent policies and procedures; we do not have hidden rules of behavior that may be apparent to some groups and unknown to others.
3. The Senior Leadership Team and Steering Committee will champion diversity and inclusion efforts at every level of the organization.
4. We cultivate a diverse and representative workforce, free of discrimination.
5. We strive to strengthen the voices of the marginalized and vulnerable, even within our own organization.
6. We value every team member and seek to ensure everyone can fulfill their potential.
What we mean by this:
We recognize our moral obligation to respect and protect the civil rights of all. We are committed to achieving and maintaining an inclusive, equitable, diverse, and representative workforce within BCCS, free of bias, discrimination, and reflecting the innovation and creativity that diversity can bring to the workplace. We value every member of our team, learn from their experience, and foster their active engagement.