Character education and interpersonal development are woven into everything we do and teach at BCD. These qualities are addressed through the tones set in BCD's classrooms, the language used with both students and colleagues, the expectations regarding behaviors of tolerance, respect and kindness, the themes and units chosen to teach, the books included in the course curricula and responses to the "teachable moments" that are presented each day. BCD's mission is to offer an education unequaled in its commitment to the values that encourage responsive and responsible citizenship, and the faculty, staff and administration at BCD hold true to this mission. This said, there are specific programs and methods that have been crafted to assist the daily teaching done and guidance given in the areas of character education and interpersonal development.

The Early Childhood and Lower School teachers have attended the Responsive Classroom and the Wellesley College "Teasing and Bullying" workshops. Each teacher uses pieces of "Quit It!" and Responsive Classroom techniques in her/his classroom. Rules and consequences are made with the students. Conflicts are resolved using words. In December each class does a unit on Peace. Units are also conducted in the areas of friendship and cultural understanding (pets, Mexico, Our Neighbor, friends, Japan, holidays). The diversity within classrooms is celebrated. Each student is given the opportunity to shine by having a "VIP" or "Star Day". A reading buddy program connects the divisions and helps create respect and understanding among the students on campus. First graders read with fourth graders, second graders read to Pre-school and fifth graders, and third graders read with Kindergarteners.

In the Middle School, character education and interpersonal development are nurtured through programs designed to enhance children's self-esteem, to advance the students' understanding of and respect for others, to foster leadership potentials and community service involvement and to promote a true understanding of the individual's duty to her/his group.

The homeroom structure for grades four through eight is a hallmark of the BCD Middle School education. All students in a grade are part of one homeroom and the concept of duty to and spirit about the group as well as concern and respect for and support of its individuals is a key component in the development of the interpersonal skills of respect and responsibility. In this division, the first two days of school in the fall are devoted to developing this group spirit and bond and a respect for the individuals of the group. The homeroom teachers draw from several resources: experience, nationally recognized curriculum material and professional consultants. Team-building games and experiential learning activities that require cooperation, leadership and taking risks help children break free from past molds and to express talents in a non-threatening atmosphere. During the school year, homeroom time is plentiful and group bonding and respect for individuality is strengthened. We are fortunate to have twenty minutes together in the morning, ten minutes for snack, twenty minutes for lunch and fifteen minutes at the end of the day as well as time for study halls and special human development and academic programs. During these homeroom times a great deal is accomplished in an informal way. Students have homeroom jobs. Behavior concerns and commendations are noted and discussed. Individual milestones and successes such as birthdays, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, communions, and other achievements are highlighted. Each class in grades five through eight takes a weeklong trip together in either the fall or spring. Some of these trips have a curriculum-based orientation, but the primary goal of all of these trips is group bonding and time away from the classroom where students can display strengths that may not show in academic or regular extra-curricular settings.

The Middle School has morning assemblies once a week. These assemblies bring the students together and provide a sense of community to a larger whole. These assemblies serve as a time to make calendar announcements, to highlight sports, student council and community service efforts, to commend students on individual achievements, to offer an inspirational thought, and to ask for support of various divisional projects.

Advisory lunch meetings allow small group discussion times for self-awareness, ethics case studies, goal setting, and "hot" topics (such as cliques, health concerns, substance abuse, eating disorders, stress, role models, environment, terrorism, competition, bullying, peer pressure, violence, and cheating). These conversations provide an opportunity for students to formulate their own understandings and perspectives on issues as they listen to others. opinions and experiences.

The Community Service Club spearheads seventh and eighth grade involvement in service activities. Community Service projects promote individual leadership skills as well as concern for others. Traditional projects include a UNICEF drive in October, a holiday gift-giving program in December, a Middle School canned food collection in December, and student volunteers at BCD's Spring Fair Fun Day. Student volunteers feed the needy on Thursday evenings at St. Stephen's Table in Pittsfield. The eighth graders, as the Middle School leaders, have additional community projects. Within the school, they serve as classroom aides in Lower and Early Childhood divisions for one term. This responsibility is known as PALS (Penguins at Large). The eighth graders also sell pizza lunches ten Fridays a year to raise funds for school activities. In the spring, they reach out to the local community in a Saturday outing to clean up the Stockbridge roadsides. The sixth graders perform the year-long job of recycling paper, cans, bottles, and cardboard.

The September 11th terrorist attacks produced an even greater interest in community service among the BCD students, and the Community Service Club was started because of this interest. Great enthusiasm in supporting the Red Cross Relief Fund resulted in an eighth grade Bake Sale, seventh grade Food Table at a well attended fall road race, and a sixth grade money collection. All grades participated in the Afghani Children Fund Drive. One of BCD.s students died of cancer in 2001 and seventh and eighth students ran a bake sale to contribute to a garden in his memory.

A seventh and eighth grade Student Council allows students a voice in school affairs and provides further opportunities for student leadership. Student Council members have discussed the dress code, made dance rules, and visited BCD's Secondary School and reported to the eighth graders their insights about this division. Other clubs that enhance leadership and interpersonal development are the Diversity Club, the PIP Committee, the Dance Committee, and the Key Guides for Admissions. The Diversity Club meets once a month to discuss a reading (e.g., a magazine article on the Indian casinos and inequities of this system. This club planned a Martin Luther King, Jr. assembly in January. The PIP Committee reviews nominations for Penguin awards that are given once a month at a morning assembly to students or faculty members deserving of a citation.

The Secondary School provides numerous opportunities throughout each year to enhance character education and interpersonal development. Such programs are coordinated by the administration and include leadership building, peer mentoring, and theatrical workshops. Block periods give students an opportunity to fully immerse themselves in these programs several times per semester. Advisory lunch meetings and Student Council town meetings give students an opportunity to voice concerns regarding school climate. Student Council representatives periodically attend faculty meetings to relay concerns and brainstorm solutions. The Student Council was instrumental in defining the Secondary School.s culture during its first year in 2000. With the Assistant Head, the Student Council devised the dress code, created a student lounge, planned extended-day programs and social activities and implemented the Judiciary Committee. The Judiciary Committee is comprised of students and faculty members and is responsible for reviewing disciplinary cases. The diversity of the areas in which students are involved gives them myriad opportunities to enrich their lives. In addition to the Community Service Club's efforts (canned food drive, holiday gift-giving, collection for the Afghani children, walk for the homeless, recycling program), interested students may also join the Civics class. This yearlong course helps students develop leadership skills to enable them to become active community members. Civics students work on a sizable and significant community service project throughout the year.