The Golden Rule Shines in Long Beach

Submitted by Long Beach School District

Students at Lindell Elementary School in Long Beach learned about “Habits of the Heart” during an assembly program that focused on one valuable principle: The Golden Rule.

Comprised of the positive qualities of respect, kindness, acceptance and compassion, this “rule” that is followed universally encourages individuals to treat others as they would like to be treated.

After Principal Karen Sauter welcomed the students, teacher-in-charge Carol Cintorino discussed habits and the Golden Rule. She explained what habits are and how they can be good or bad. She described the components of the Golden Rule as being “the habits we expect of each of you.” Listening to teachers, including everyone in play and feeling and showing kindness to other people, were some of the examples she shared.

Cintorino informed students that the Golden Rule is fundamental in many cultures and has been around for thousands of years. She introduced some special guests – puppets from “Golden Rule Puppeteer Schools” all over the world – to share the ways in which these important virtues are practiced in other lands.

As the puppets introduced themselves and explained the ways in which they implement the Golden Rule, they encouraged students in the audience to practice greetings and kind phrases amongst themselves. Students then joined the puppets in singing a song about helping others.

“The Golden Rule means the same thing all over, we just say it in different ways,” Cintorino explained. She concluded the session by asking students to think of a new way that they can practice the Golden Rule and good habits that will make a meaningful difference.