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NEWSLETTER
FALL 2001

IN THIS ISSUE:

TEACHERS FUSE CHARACTER EDUCATION IN TALBOT COUNTY

VALUES EDUCATION IN BALTIMORE COUNTY

KIWANIS' TERRIFIC KIDS

CHARACTER EDUCATION/CIVILITY

GRANT OPPORTUNITY: CHARACTER BUILDING FOR CHILDREN AGES 11-14

KINDNESS

"MO" NOTES ON CHARACTER EDUCATION

2001 MCCE CHARACTER EDUCATION AWARD WINNING SCHOOLS

CONFERENCES NEAR AND FAR

IN SEARCH OF CHARACTER EDUCATION LESSON PLANS?

SOUTH CARROLL - "NATIONAL SCHOOL OF CHARACTER"

HOW THE MARYLAND CENTER FOR CHARACTER EDUCATION CAN BENEFIT:

SCHOOLS BUSINESS
FAMILIES
COMMUNITIES

HOW TO USE THE CENTER

EDITORIAL

TEACHERS FUSE CHARACTER EDUCATION IN TALBOT COUNTY

Representatives of the Maryland Center for Character Education (MCCE) were impressed by the skillful way teachers at Easton Elementary School - Moton Building are fusing character lessons with school activity and curriculum every day. Their recent visit included an informative briefing by assistant principal Mike Rowe, and Richard Allen, the Founder of Character Counts! Mid-Shore Community and its highly acclaimed elementary school program, "Winners Walk Tall."

Character Counts! Mid-Shore Community is a citizen-initiated program that effectively connects school and community. "Winners Walk Tall" trains Character Coaches, many of them retirees with a wealth of experience, to work directly with teachers in classrooms for 15 minutes one day a week. Ninety coaches are at work in the five counties on Maryland's Mid-Shore - Kent, Caroline, Queen Anne's, Talbot and Dorchester - and reach thousands of students every week. Their lessons are based on the six pillars of character; Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship. Coaches make the brief sessions fun but meaningful. Teachers fuse with their lesson plans. Students act out "walking tall with a smile," "looking the other person in the eye while offering a firm hand shake," "being courteous and respectful," and much more.

During the visit by the MCCE students recited poems and sang songs about character. They also displayed art they had prepared illustrating the six pillars of character.

Administrators and teachers are enthusiastic participants in the program because they see the results: fewer disciplinary actions, a more cheerful and cooperative school environment, and higher grades.

Principal Kelly Griffith has created three "learning communities" within the 600-pupil school, each a mixture of grades two through five, to provide a more nurturing environment, offer opportunity for older students to read to and mentor younger students, under supervision; improve communication and rapport, and discourage isolation of groups on the playing field, in the cafeteria, and media center.

"Character Counts! Connects school and community, " says Rowe. "Within the school we are trying to connect grades and interests and promote interactive helpfulness."

Visitors sense that character is part of the school. Signs and slogans and posters are displayed in the entrance foyer, hallways, classrooms, gymnasium, playing fields and media center. Students are observed and rewarded for their acts of kindness and generosity to one another. They are called to the principal's office to be praised and given stickers and other signs of recognition. Positive attitudes prevail. Genuine friendliness is evident.

Here is one of the many cheers used at Westside Intermediate school:

We Say "THANK YOU", Yes we do! We say "PLEASE", you can too! "EXCUSE ME" is Great, It makes our day. Use these words, They're easy to Say!!!
YEAH WESTSIDE!!!

"Fusing character with school activities and curriculum helps students understand and appreciate appropriate behavior as well as learn dates and facts," Rowe says. "They begin to practice teamwork and to comprehend the work ethic at an early age."

Students who misbehave are sent to a "Planning Room" where they can cool off and reflect on what they have done; say, displaying anger or name-calling. Then they are encouraged to talk out their misbehavior with a counselor. Finally, they are invited to fill out a form, headed "Have Pride In Your School - Have Pride In Yourself." The form provides space to acknowledge what they have done, but more important, to state what they might have done instead. Then they promise, in writing, to do better. The student and his or her teacher sign the form. The parent or guardian signs off as well. All three evaluate whether or not the student kept the commitment.

"While 'Planning Room' visits have increased," Rowe admits, "disciplinary referrals by grade level have dropped dramatically, often by more than fifty percent. In some cases, to zero. It's really remarkable."

Griffin and Rowe were not surprised to find that many of the experienced teachers and administrators among their guests from the MCCE had tears in their eyes as they heard the children recite poems and sign songs about good character. "We often have tears in our eyes, too," Rowe said. "We are shaping lives as well as teaching reading, writing and arithmetic."

VALUES EDUCATION IN BALTIMORE COUNTY

On June 7, 2001, members of (MCCE) Maryland Center for Character Education held their meeting at the Loch Raven Academy in Baltimore County. Members were impressed as the students led a tour of the building and explained how Values Education permeates all aspects of their school day. Eighth grader, Orlando Spikes, stated "It's a wonderful school with lots of opportunities and lots of good programs". Orlando, who is known as OJ by his classmates, talked about the practical applications of Character Education (such as the courage and caring for each other and taking risks) that can be used every day.

Bulletin boards in hallways recognize students with a "STAR" Award (Scholastics, Talents, Attitude and Responsibility).

KIWANIS' TERRIFIC KIDS

Terrific Kids is a program provided by the Kiwanis family of civic clubs that work closely with local schools. Lindley H. (Dig) DeGarmo, former International Trustee of Kiwanis, and a member of the Maryland Center for Character Education (MCEE), visits schools each week in Baltimore County to present a Terrific Kids bumper sticker and certificate to students who exemplify such character traits as being friendly, caring, responsible and respectful.

The program began in 1989 when "Dig" DeGarmo was the Kiwanis International Chairman for Youth Services. Since then, Dig has been involved in the presentation of 86,000 Terrific Kids awards in 13 schools in the Reisterstown, Owings Mills, and Glyndon area. With the focus being on youth services, students, parents and teachers are enthusiastic when students are recognized.

This international program is based on 18 core values from the Constitution of the United States.

CHARACTER EDUCATION/CIVILITY

Feature Article By Steven Michael Selzer, Attorney
Character education and civility teaching with a moral focus is teaching civility. How we treat each other is essential. When we are other-directed (Kind, Considerate, Empathetic), we help others. By helping others, we help ourselves.

Respect is the key element in both character education and civility. In writing By George? Mr. Washington's Guide to Civility Today (Andrews McMeel, 2000), I researched the 110 rules of civility and decent behavior compiled by George Washington in 1746. Our founding father's very first rule is "every action done in company ought to be done with some sign of respect to those that are present."

People of good character have respect for others as well as self-respect. Remember Aretha Franklin's song called "Respect" where she says just a little bit will do? It is what everyone wants, needs, and deserves. George Washington felt that the qualifying factor for one to deserve respect was being a human being. That was enough. What flows from respect is dignity and eventually the ability to be non - judgmental regarding other people Another important element of civility as discussed in my book, George Washington's last rule, Rule 100, says: "Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience." If you keep that part of yourself alive, you will be a person of great character who acts with civility.

Then you can set the example. George Washington's Rule 48 is : "Wherein you reprove another be unblamable yourself, for example is more prevalent than precepts." Do not attempt to remove a speck from your brother's eye when there is a log in your own. Leading by example is a fine way to teach character education in a truly civil way.

GRANT OPPORTUNITY: CHARACTER BUILDING FOR CHILDREN AGES 11-14

Target stores and the Tiger Woods Foundation have pooled their resources for a new program that encourages children to take small character-building steps in order to reach big goals. The goal of the "Start Something" program is to get young people engaged in specific character-building activities to help them build a set of core values that will serve them well throughout their lives.
Deadlines: June 1 and Oct. 1, 2001, and March 1, 2002.
Eligibility: Youths ages 11 to 14.
Funds Available: The scholarships can be used for tuition for summer camp, music lessons, and travel expenses or sports equipment. The activities are organized into five levels. With each level completed, a participant receives a reward. Level one is easy to accomplish, just sign up for the program. Participants receive a Tiger Woods' poster, membership card and a packet containing the activities (five per level) they need to do to complete subsequent levels. Level two activities include reading for 20 minutes every day and creating a statement of beliefs. Among the activities in Level three are starting a "Keep It Positive" journal and writing a letter to the government. Level four activities include being a volunteer and making a concrete plan to achieve a big dream. When children finish level three, they'll receive a $5 Target gift card. When they complete level four, they can receive a $10 gift card and become eligible for Start Something scholarships of $100 to $2,500. Completing Level five (establishing a Start Something chapter with at least 10 new members) allows kids to be eligible for the $10,000 scholarship. Scholarships will be awarded three times a year.
Contact: To enroll on the Web, parental permission is required.

Information and forms are available at http://startsomething.target.com. "Start Something" brochures are available at local Target stores.

KINDNESS

From a Book of Values by John Carroll Byrnes
In his delightful little Book of Values, Judge Byrnes describes twelve values which are a basis for human behavior and for the enhancement of the quality of life for all mankind. One of these values is kindness. The author reminds the reader that Abraham Lincoln once said that the best way to deal with an enemy was to make the enemy a friend. Kindness is expressed in a number of ways: through charity, compassion, gratitude, cheerfulness, patience, generosity, and politeness, to name a few. It includes the concept of giving of one's time, attention, skills, and resources to others who can benefit from them.

Kindness is the touchstone of fond and loving relationships. The practice of treating others as one would like to be treated is a concept which is embraced by all of humanity regardless of creed or culture.

"MO" NOTES ON CHARACTER EDUCATION By Maurice Howard

What does "character education" look like? What should schools consider as they design it? What should be examined as it is evaluated? Permit me to propose some personal opinions.

I believe that a successful school character education program should be characterized by the following:

1. Core traits or evidences of good character are specified to serve as the basis for curricular planning and instructional delivery.
2. Core traits of good character define the ways a good citizen, parent, teacher, and worker thinks, feels, and acts.
3. Written curricular plans specify elements of a school-wide and classroom-specific delivery of instruction aimed at deliberately teaching each of the core traits of good character.
4. Written curricular plans enable teachers to apply character education as part of rigorous academic instruction for all students.
5. Instruction in each core trait of good character leads to student demonstration of the trait in real-life or simulated real-life situations appropriate to the development level of the student.
6. School-wide focus on core traits of good character includes activities that encourage individual and group acts of caring, service, and moral action.
7. The school faculty and staff commit themselves to implementing school-wide and classroom-specific instruction to teach each of the core traits of good character. The school faculty and staff also commit themselves to modeling each of the core traits of good character.
8. Parents and community members are actively involved in designing and implementing school-wide activities and classroom-specific instruction in core traits of good character. Parents and community members commit themselves to modeling each of the core traits of good character.
9. Appropriate elements of character education instruction are designed, with the input of community members and parents, to occur or to be applied in community and home settings.
10. The success of the comprehensive character education program will be defined by quantitative and qualitative evidence of student demonstration of core traits of good character.

2001 MCCE CHARACTER EDUCATION AWARD WINNING SCHOOLS

The twenty-eight schools each received a Character Education School of the Year flag that may be flown for the 2001-2002 school year and a certificate of recognition that may be display by the school.

Allegany
Mrs. Roxanne Reuse, Principal
Frost Elementary School

Anne Arundel
Mr. William Myers, Principal
Arundel High School

Baltimore City
Mrs. Doris Shaw, Principal
Robert Poole Middle School

Baltimore
Ms. Mary Ann Rigopoulos, Principal
Oliver Beach Elementary School

Calvert
Dr. James Parent, Principal
Calvert Career Center

Carroll
Ms. Linda Mills, Principal
Sandymount Elementary School

Caroline
Mrs. Debra M. Chance, Principal
Greensboro Elementary School

Cecil
Carol Roberts, Principal
Cecil Manor Elementary School

Charles
Mr. Ronald Stup, Principal
Matthew Henson Middle School

Dorchester
Ms. Jennifer Ruark, Principal
South Dorchester School

Frederick
Mr. Larry Cassell, Principal
Ballenger Creek Elementary School

Garrett
Mr. Thomas Fowler, Principal
Broad Ford Elementary School

Harford
Mrs. Kathleen Burr, Principal
Joppatowne Elementary School

Howard
Glenn Heisey, Principal
Hollifield Station Elementary School

Kent
Mrs. Beatrice Fenner, Principal
Henry Highland Garnett Elementary School

Montgomery
Ms. Laurie Gross, Principal
Fields Road Elementary School

Queen Anne's
Mr. Richard McNeal, Principal
Centreville Middle School

Prince George's
Mrs. Linda Posko, Acting Principal
Yorktown Elementary School

St. Mary's
Dr. Sharon Brown, Principal
Lettie Marshall Dent Elementary School

Somerset
Ms. Cheryl O'Neal, Principal
Westover Elementary School

Talbot
Mrs. Kelly Griffith, Principal
Easton Elementary-Moton School

Washington
Mr. Robert Brown, Principal
Western Heights Middle School

Wicomico
Ms. Cathy J. Townsend, Principal
Salisbury Middle School

Worchester
Ms. Caroline H. Bloxom, Principal
Pocomoke Middle School

Private and Parochial
Zipora Schorr, Director Education
Beth Tfiloh Community School

Mrs. Kelly Spanoghe, Principal
The Children's Guild (Annapolis Campus)

Mr. Tom Goss, Principal
Friends Community School

Sister Anne Mary Smith, IHM, Principal
Saint Agnes School

CONFERENCES NEAR AND FAR

October 18-20, Denver Marriott Tech Center, Denver Co., 8th National Forum, Character Education Partnership, fax-202-296-7779, phone-202-296-7743, cepforum@character.org

October 25-28, Vancouver British Columbia, Association for Moral Education 27th Annual Meeting, ame.2001@ubc.ca

November 28-30, Princeton N.J., Character Counts Development Seminars, 1-800-711-2670, www.charactercounts.org

IN SEARCH OF CHARACTER EDUCATION LESSON PLANS?
Try www.dpi.state.nc.us/internet.resources/ncschools.html

SOUTH CARROLL - "NATIONAL SCHOOL OF CHARACTER"
Did you know that, of 9 schools recognized as 2000 National Schools of Character, one is found right here in Maryland: South Carroll High School in Sykesville, Maryland. Carroll is the embodiment of a school teaching both character and community within its walls, preparing students both in academics and good citizenship. The school encourages adults to be role models of good character and gives students ample opportunities to emulate those models in the classroom and via extracurricular activities. No wonder this school was also recognized as Maryland's 1999 Blue Ribbon School. Character Education is a fundamental ingredient in that blue ribbon success.

HOW THE MARYLAND CENTER FOR CHARACTER EDUCATION CAN BENEFIT:

SCHOOLS BUSINESS
Organize seminars for teachers and administratorsMaintain a file of activities and sources for teachersMaintain ongoing relationships with schools of teachers education programs and the larger community Care of Property - Taking Care of equipment; driving company vehicle sensibly; employee shopliftingResponsible Use of Time - Punctuality, being efficient, laziness, dealing with private matters during work

FAMILIES
Maintain a file of activities and sources of values' information for families.Identify successful means of addressing problems or needs Customer Relationships - Protecting reputations, professional dress, language and behavior.Employee Relations - Cooperation and teamwork

COMMUNITIES
Bring nationally recognized speakers and consultants to the area Employer Relations - Accepting instruction

HOW TO USE THE CENTER
Contact the Maryland Center for Character Education by phone to discuss your needs on values education or to find out what resources are available. Visit the Maryland Center for Character Education to peruse the materials and/or discuss your needs with a staff member. Write to the Maryland Center for Character Education describing your needs, concerns, or suggestions.

EDITORIAL
The MCCE is interested in what is happening in your school and community. Call Bob McNeish, 410-833-0558 for additional information or to share your good news.

The Maryland Center for Character Education is an independent, non-profit organization made up of representatives from Education, Government and Community Institutions, and the Business Community. It works cooperatively with the Character Education Office of the Maryland State Department of Education.

29 West Susquehanna Ave., Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21204

Phone 410-823-4902 Fax 410-828-9220