Step 1. Decide to fly the Companion Flag at your school.

For some people this is easy—and for them it's on to Step 2!

Others might be more cautious, saying to themselves, "You know, the Companion Flag is a great idea, but simply flying it at our school—is that enough? Will that make a difference in the lives of our students?"

The answer is: Yes—as long as your students (including new students each year) know what the Companion Flag stands for!

Developmental experts everywhere now agree: children gain much of their identity and values by engaging in an on-going "silent dialogue" with the people around them—especially those adults and older adolescents with whom they are in regular contact. They are constantly monitoring the actions (Note: the actions, not the words) of older individuals who play a prominent role in their lives, seeking answers to three vital questions:"How should I see others? Where do I fit in? And, most importantly, What is it about me I can value?"

By flying the Companion Flag each day at school, you are providing a response to these questions through your actions that will touch the lives of your entire school community. You are confirming the inherent dignity and worth of all human beings—certainly each child who comes into contact with your school, regardless of his or her differences—by acknowledging, not only our shared and common experiences, concerns, and desires as human beings, but the importance of actively remembering and honoring those connections each day, even as we celebrate our diversity, and (through education and life experience) come to a greater understanding of our heritage, differences, talents, limitations, and borders.

Flying the Companion Flag sends the message that it is safe and desirable to honor all parts of ourselves: our differences (represented by the host flag) as well as all that we share in common with people everywhere (represented by the Companion Flag). It's a powerful message—a gift of comfort and value to the children who are watching.

Step 2. Acquire a Companion Flag.

This is easy. All we need is an e-mail or fax from you telling us four things:

• What flag will fly directly above your school's Companion Flag? (This is called the 'host flag'.)

• What is the host flag's exact dimensions?

• Which color from the host flag would you like to see in the stripe of your Companion Flag? and,

• What is your delivery address?

CFSI will get back to you within a day or two with a price quote and shipping details. (For comparison purposes, the cost of a 3' x 5' Companion Flag is approximately $17 USD, exclusive of tax and shipping. Schools facing economic challenges are encouraged to let us know; CFSI will seek outside support to make sure your school can fly the Companion Flag!)

Contact CFSI

Step 3. Fly the Companion Flag.

Again, easy. You fly it on your school's flag pole, just below the host flag; or, if you don't have a flag pole, you can display the Companion Flag below your host flag on a high interior wall—e.g., in the gymnasium or auditorium. Smaller flags can be displayed in individual classrooms.

Step 4. Make sure your students know what the Companion Flag means.

Note: Students around the world have no difficulty understanding the Companion Flag! They know that people share many important experiences and concerns, and they understand the essential role that symbols play in our lives—particularly when it comes to influencing how we relate to, and think about, other human beings.

Introducing the Companion Flag to your students is simple; it can be done in a morning announcement, an assembly, an article in the school newspaper, a classroom presentation, or a combination of these. Moreover, once you've introduced the idea, the routine, dignified display of the Companion Flag outside your school speaks for itself. Here we are proud of our differences, our diversity and our special affiliations, but we are mindful, too, of our essential humanity, and all that we share with people everywhere.

There is almost always an interpretive sign posted near the flagpole, so that students and passers-by can be reminded of its message. (To see a sample of the sign, click here.)

CFSI also provides Companion Flag stickers, pins, and other promotional items, as well as lesson plans and ideas to help you and your staff engage students on the meaning and purpose of the Companion Flag throughout the year.

Show me a sample announcement script (.pdf). . .
Show me some Companion Flag Schools. . .

If you're ready to become the next Companion Flag school, we're ready to help!

Contact CFSI

(By the way, if you'd like to talk to other principals, teachers or students around the world about their Companion Flag experiences, let us know. We're happy to give references.)

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