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Welcome to a celebration of the
Laws of Life!
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| Connecticut Laws of Life finalists celebrate with Mr. Robert Scinto, 2008 John Winthrop Wright Ethics in Action awardee and Mr. Chris Gallo, CPA and SEE trustee (May 8, 2008). |
The Laws of Life essay program is a writing assignment with a focus on character development.
Laws of Life provides students in grades 5-12 the unique opportunity to reflect and write about their core values, principles and ideals that will guide them throughout their lives. Writing with
Laws of Life encourages a dialogue between students and their teachers, parents and community members to advance excellent writing, positive values and character. The writing process for
Laws of Life can be integrated into many academic subject areas such as English literature, language arts, history and health. Laws of Life is a non-sectarian, academic activity that typically identifies universal ethical principles and laws of life such as – love, service, perseverance, honesty, respect and courage. These values are recognized to be life affirming, support positive citizenship and transcend religion, culture and national borders.
The School for Ethical Education has been administering the
Laws of Life essay program in Connecticut since 2000. Public and non-public school participants have recognized the great value in having students write from the heart to identify their
laws of life. The program was established by Sir John Templeton in 1987. With the support of the Templeton Foundation, the
Laws of Life essay program has been established as an effective writing and character-building activity with students participating from nations around the world.
Benefits of Laws of Life Participation
- Provides students the opportunity to write, reflect and discuss their values with peers, teachers, parents and others
- Motivates students to “write from the heart” to produce excellent narratives
- Integrates the writing process with effective character education
- Encourages schools to obtain community support to recognize student writing
- Provides schools a positive opportunity to recognize students’ values
- Promotes a sense of positive community within the classroom
- Prepares students for writing process on standardized tests (in CT, the CMT and CAPT)
- Fits easily into any writing curriculum (Language Arts/English, History, Social Studies, Health)
- Encourages students of all writing ability to participate
During the 2007-08 school year, over 3,240 writers participated in
Laws of Life. On May 8, 2008 over 140 guests celebrated with the
Laws of Life essayists at the Anthony’s Ocean View Restaurant in New Haven, Connecticut. The evening theme was “Character Celebration!” as SEE celebrated another successful year of the
Laws of Life essay program.
Connecticut’s ten essay finalists, family members, teachers and statewide judges participated in the celebration. One student volunteered to read her essay. The student wrote about one of her laws of life that she identified as being self-confidence with the ability to avoid peer pressure that could inappropriately control her life.
All of the students’ essays were published in the Celebration’s program handbook and are available on-line at
www.ethicsed.org. NewAlliance Bank donated $100 savings bonds to each of the top ten essay writers. The NewAlliance Foundation was also a grant supporter of the
Laws of Life program along with other private and business donations.
This year’s award ceremony also included the second-annual presentation of the John Winthrop Wright Ethics in Action Award to keynote speaker Robert D. Scinto, Chairman & CEO of R.D. Scinto, Inc. In his speech Mr. Scinto reflected upon the existence of good and evil and the necessity to cultivate the good.
SEE celebrates the demonstration of ethics in action by Mr. Scinto and over 3,200
Laws of Life essayists.
To participate in the Laws of Life program, complete the
Registration Form and return to The School for Ethical Education by email at
lawsoflife@ethicsed.org or fax—(203) 783-4461.
Laws of Life is an excellent opportunity to advance ethics in action, and SEE is grateful for the support of Bigelow Tea, Yale University, Eaton Vance, The John Templeton Foundation, NewAlliance Foundation, NewAlliance Bank, Wright Investors’ Service, and other private donors.
Congratulations to the Connecticut Laws of Life 2007-2008 Essay Winners!
Click here to read their Laws of Life!
Further Program Information
2008-2009 Program:
General Information:
Previous Year's Programs
(2008-2000)
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SEE is a
non-sectarian 501(c)3 education organization that obtains most
of its financial support from public and foundation grants, fees
for services, and gifts from Wright Investors' Service of Milford, Conn.
SEE is not affiliated with any religious organization and does
not espouse or represent any specific religious belief.
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