This Month's Best Practice
Each Month the Maryland Center for Character Education (MCCE) picks one of the Best Practices from a Character Education award winning school to share with you.
AUGUST
This month's Best Practices is from an award winning school from 2005-2006.
BEST CHARACTER EDUCATION PRACTICES
School: Pittsville Elementary/Middle School
Address: 34404 Old Ocean City Road, Pittsville, Maryland 21850
Contact: Joyce Dunn
Phone: 410-677-5811
E-Mail: jdunn@wcboe.org
Title of Best Practice: Integrating Character Education Across School Culture(s)
Primary Character Trait(s) Emphasized: Integrity, Fairness, and Self-Respect
Brief Description (including such items as materials needed, persons responsible, sequence of activities, observable results, references, etc.)
At Pittsville Elementary/Middle we provided many activities and opportunities for students to be recognized for behavior that is consistent with Wicomico County Board of Education values. Additionally, parents are an integral part of supporting character development and communication with parents, including notification of student character awards and ways for parents to support their child(ren)’s character development. The development of character as a school emphasis is evident on bulletin boards, within written communication to families, and in staff/student conversation. The administration supports and encourages character development by including discussions of character in all disciplinary interactions.
In the past four years, as a result of a conscious and systematic attempt to improve student character, Pittsville Elementary/Middle School has experienced a reduction in office referrals from 681 to 291, with a marked reduction each and every year. In the last two school years, days of suspension have reduced from 323 to 206! In an obvious continuation of the progress the school has made in improving behavior through developing Character, Pittsville Elementary/Middle School has only had 3 office referrals to date this school year (06-07)!
Character Education Activities:
Student of the Month: Any adult in the school can nominate a student for this award based on the county-issued Values Calendar. Students are congratulated on morning announcements and given a certificate. They also participate in activities that build self esteem. Pictures are taken and put in the school yearbook. The Student Recognition Committee is responsible for this on the last day of each month.
Student Recognition Bulletin Board: A Bulletin Board, in a prominent location, is dedicated to posting monthly character displays related to the value of the month and features pictures of students who have been recognized for their outstanding character. The Student Recognition Committee is responsible for this.
Pride of Pittsville: A classroom teacher may nominate an entire class for recognition if they have displayed great character. Reasons for nominations include, but are not limited to, the entire class being on time every day for a month, or 100% completion of homework for a month, great cooperation, etc. The administrators, the guidance counselor, and any other member of the Student Recognition Committee who is available will make a surprise visit to the class on the last day of the month. The class receives Praise Notes to take home, goodie bags with school related supplies, and a banner to display for the month.
Media Center Showcase: Each month a showcase outside of the media center promotes the value of the month by displaying books that relate to the value. A summary of each book is also included. Students are, of course, able to check out these books. The Media Specialist is responsible for this.
Caught Being Good: Adults in the school are each given a roll of tickets that are given to students when they are “caught being good”. This can be associated with any of the values that are emphasized throughout the school year. The students put their name on the ticket and deposit it in a can located in the main office. On the last day of the month, one name from each grade level is drawn and those students are called to the office to pick up their “Caught Being Good” bag. We have bags decorated with a “Caught Being Good” sign, containing various prizes and treats donated by staff. Students have their picture taken and it is published in the school newspaper. The Student Recognition Committee is responsible for this.
Service Learning Projects: We are unique in that we have an elementary and a middle school in one building and we try to use this to our benefit. Our middle school students plan service learning projects that contribute to their Maryland graduation requirement. The middle school students plan projects in which the elementary school students can participate. These projects are ongoing throughout the school year. Middle school teachers are responsible for this.
Peer Mentors: Another way that we capitalize on having students from third grade to eighth grade is by having peer mentors. The guidance counselor can pair a middle school student and an elementary school student and provide time for them to spend time together. The focus of the partnership can be anything from promoting responsible attendance and work habits to learning how to handle anger with respect for others and property. This has proven to promote self-esteem and a more positive attitude toward school in the mentor and in the student being mentored.
The Pipeline: The Assistant Principal sends a monthly newsletter to parents each month. The Pipeline recognizes all students who have received any of the aforementioned awards, provides a monthly calendar of events and news from each classroom. Also included are positive discipline techniques for parents.
Awards Assemblies: At the conclusion of each term, awards assemblies are held for each grade level. All students are gathered together and teachers are given the opportunity to give awards for academic excellence, academic achievement, and various other outstanding accomplishments.
Honor Cards: Any student who earns honor roll is given an honor card. This card entitles students to such things as a free pencil, a free ice cream, a bathroom pass, a homework pass, and a special activity. Examples of special activities are a movie and popcorn afternoon, a sock hop, a luau, a sports activity, or a pizza party. Students must be responsible for keeping their honor card as admission to the special activity.
The Maryland Center for Character Education
29 West Susquehanna Ave., Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21204Phone: 410-823-4902
Fax: 410-828-9661
E-Mail: MCCEcharacter@aol.com
