Each newsletter we will be sharing a virtue that will be the focus in our school over the following three weeks.  

What is Loyalty? Loyalty is staying true to someone.  It is standing up for something you believe in without wavering.  It is being faithful to your family, country, school, friends or ideals - when the going gets tough as well as when things are good.  When you are a loyal friend, even if someone disappoints you, you still hang in there with them.  Loyalty is staying committed.

Why Practice it? You cannot count on disloyal people to stay friends, because when problems happen, they go away.  They often change their minds about what they believe to be important.  When you practice loyalty, people know they can count on you.  People who are worthy of your loyalty can trust that they will never stand alone.  With loyalty, you build friendships that last forever.

How do you practice it? You practice loyalty by committing to a person, or a belief.  Choose your friends carefully, so you can be friends for a long time.  If someone tries to use your loyalty for a bad purpose, or hurts you over and over, you need to decide if it feels right to go on being loyal.  Stand up for your family and friends when others act unjustly.  When you are loyal you are worthy of trust.

Signs of Success Congratulations!  Your are practicing Loyalty when you...

• Stand up for people and ideas you believe in.
• Are a faithful friend through good times and bad.
• Don't allow loyalty to lead you into trouble.
• Don't let others come between you and your friends.
• Are loyal to yourself.

"A true friend loves you enough to support you and to confront you."  Anonymous