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Elementary-Student Leadership

Liberty Common School empowers its students to take ownership of their student-life experience.  They learn important cultural skills such as how to run a meeting, formulate a proposal, conduct an event, raise and account for project funds, and how to achieve consensus among peers.  LCS students are skillfully guided by professional classroom instructors to earn and demonstrate real authority toward the cultivation of meaningful and valuable leadership experiences. 

LCS Guidons

To help introduce young Liberty scholars to the first elements of teamwork, school culture, and rudimentary leadership, each classroom is identified by a guidon.  The LCS guidon – a word derived from the French guyd-homme – is inspired by centuries-old heraldic tradition.  The distinctive flags indicate a person or grouping of particular importance by signaling their position during a ceremony, a tournament, perhaps a battle siege.  In days of old, members of a platoon would look for their unit’s guidon to indicate a rallying point for collecting, regrouping, or to carry as the team moved from place to place. 
 
Guidons are intended to be displayed with prominence.  Within the team, it is an honor to be the one chosen to carry the guidon.  The “guidon bearer” or “guide” typically stands or marches in front of the class or alongside the teacher allowing all others to fall into formation when directed.  The guidon leads the way and is always carried with pride and dignity.  It is to be posted in a conspicuous place and treated with respect. 
 
LCS guidons are embellished with ribbons, patches, pins, and other awards earned through displays of group virtue, competitiveness, and outstanding behavior.  Guidons stay with students of each cohort through their seven years at the elementary-school level and are “retired” for permanent display at their elementary campus after LCS student leave the 6th grade to move onward to the junior-high school.    
 
Historically, the guidon is a source of pride for the unit.  Elaborate guidon traditions have been developed stemming from ancient times.  Liberty’s guidons are also used in grades k-6 to promote the essential virtues emblazoned upon each guidon.  They promote familiarity with common Latin phrases, and serve as an organizational tactic to help acclimate young students for upper-grade traditions of the junior-high “Order System” and the unique student-life culture of the Liberty Common High School “House System.”

2023 Unveiling Ceremony

Watch the unveiling ceremony for the Liberty Common School guidons from Headmaster Schaffer
 
photo of guidon flags

The Virtues and Meaning

Amor "Love"
Abundantia

"Abundance, Plenty" – The ideal of possessing enough food and prosperity for all segments. of society.

Aequitas "Equity" – Fair dealing both within government and among the people
Auctoritas "Spiritual Authority" – The sense of one's social standing, built up through experience
Bonus Eventus "Good Fortune" – Remembrance of important positive events
Concordia "Concord" – Harmony among the Roman people; also between Rome and other nations
Comitas "Humor" – Ease of manner, courtesy, openness, and friendliness
Clementia "Mercy" – Mildness and gentleness
Dignitas "Dignity" – A sense of self-worth, personal pride
Felicitas "Happiness, Prosperity" – A celebration of the best aspects of Roman society
Fides "Confidence" – Good faith in all commercial and governmental dealings
Firmitas "Tenacity" – Strength of mind, the ability to stick to one's purpose
Fortuna "Fortune" – An acknowledgement of positive events
Frugalitas "Frugalness" – Economy and simplicity of style, without being miserly
Genius "Spirit of Rome" – Acknowledgement of the combined spirit of Rome, and its people
Gaudium "Joy"
Gravitas "Gravity" – A sense of the importance of the matter at hand, responsibility, and earnestness
Hilaritas "Mirth, Rejoicing" – An expression of happy times
Honestas "Respectability" – The image that one presents as a respectable member of society
Humanitas "Humanity" – Refinement, civilization, learning, and being cultured
Industria "Industriousness" – Hard work
Laetitia "Joy, Gladness" – The celebration of thanksgiving, often of the resolution of crisis
Liberalitas "Liberality" – Generous giving
Libertas "Freedom" – A virtue which has been subsequently aspired to by all cultures
Moderatio “Restraint” – Exercising temperance and self-control
Nobilitas "Nobility" – Noble action within the public sphere
Ops "Wealth" – Acknowledgement of the prosperity of the Roman world
Patientia "Endurance, Patience" – The ability to weather storms and crisis
Pax "Peace" – A celebration of peace among society and between nations
Pietas "Dutifulness" – More than religious piety; a respect for the natural order socially, politically, and religiously
Perfectio  “Perfection” – Appreciating and being inclined toward truth, beauty, and goodness
Providentia

"Providence, Forethought" – The ability of Roman society to survive trials and manifest a greater destiny

Pudicitia "Modesty, Chastity" – A public expression which belies the accusation of "moral corruptness" in ancient Rome
Salubritas "Wholesomeness" – Health and cleanliness
Salus "Safety" – Concern for public health and welfare
Securitas "Confidence, Security" – Brought by peace and efficient governance
Spes "Hope" – Especially during times of difficulty
Severitas "Sternness" – Gravity, self-control
Uberitas "Fertility" – Particularly concerning agriculture
Veritas "Truthfulness" – Honesty in dealing with others
Via Romana  “The Roman Way” – An ancient way of life including ethics, virtues, and philosophy promoting prudent citizenship
Virtus Courage" – Especially of leaders within society and government