"If we want children to champion altruism and become heroes, then we must talk the talk and remember to walk the walk. Children replicate what they see (actions speak louder than words in any arena) and more often than not, it is within the context of those silent messages (behaviors) from respected adults (academicians and administrators) that we see negative behaviors translate. We must consciously model validation of all human beings because it will yield great life crops into the global community."
Author unknown

At the start of the 2006-07 school year, data was collected at faculty meetings as to what values and life skills were most important for our students to learn. At the same time, another group of teachers was working on a new bullying prevention program. They came up with the term R.I.S.E. The two committee’s came together and the RISE program was created.

R.I.S.E. stands for Respect and Responsibility, Integrity, Safety, Staying Healthy and Empathy. Under R.I.S.E., adults and students will:

• R - Will show respect for self, others and the property of others at all times, and be accountable for your behavior and academic responsibilities.
• I - Will demonstrate integrity in all matters of social and academic life.
• S - Will co-operate to maintain a safe, supportive, while staying healthy friendly environment for everyone.
• E – Will be empathetic towards the feelings of others and demonstrate responsible citizenship.

R.I.S.E. is a set of expectations of what students are supposed "to" do rather than rules of what "not to do". R.I.S.E. is a character development program created and written by the Teachers of Jonas Salk Middle School. R.I.S.E. is a value system that will be modeled by the whole community of Salk, adults and students.

The implementation of R.I.S.E includes; grade level assemblies, in-class speakers, discussions will focus on anti-bullying strategies and advice during work-study periods, weekly morning announcements will broadcast motivational quotes geared towards the tenets of R.I.S.E., and posters and other artwork around the school containing the message of R.I.S.E. will be displayed. Teachers will also be integrating the R.I.S.E. philosophy at least once per quarter into their classroom lessons.

Salk strives to establish a school atmosphere that promotes respect, responsibility, integrity, safety and empathy in young people and adults for the betterment of individuals and the community at large.