SCHOOLS OF CHARACTER |
In schools of character, adults embrace their critical role as models. Teachers work together as professionals—and with parents and community members as partners—to positively shape the social, emotional, and character development of the young people entrusted to them each day. Students in these schools feel safe, respected, and connected to those around them, allowing them to thrive academically and socially and be motivated to give back to their communities.
Bullying is rare Cheating and discipline problems decline Test scores, grades, and homework completion go up Attendance and graduation rates are high Dropout rates are low Achievement gaps are narrowed Teacher retention and satisfaction are high Parent satisfaction and engagement rates are high Student engagement and involvement is high Sound too good to be true? It’s not! Schools of Character prove that when school communities come together for a common purpose, amazing things happen. Schools of Character work—for kids, parents, and communities. |
Why Character teaching?
When you enter a school where character education is promoted, you see evidence. You find an atmosphere of mutual caring and respect, where students value learning and care about their teachers,classmates,community and themselves.
In Harmony School of Innovation our students and teachers work together diligently to put up poster boards related to character education in various seasons.
Why Do We Need Character Education?
Moral education is not a new idea. It is in fact as old as education itself. Down though history, in countries all over the world, education has had two great goals: to help young people become smart and to help them become good. Good character is not formed automatically; it is developed over time through a sustained process of teaching,example,learning, and practice-it is particularly important in today's society since our youth face many opportunities and dangers unknown to earlier generations.
They are bombarded with many more negative influences through the media and other external sources prevalent in today's culture. And at the same time, there are many more day-to-day pressures impinging on the time that parents and children have together.
Studies show that children spend only 33 hours a year in meaningful conversation with his or her parents, while they spend 1,500 hours of watching TV. Since students spend 900 hours a year in school, it is essential that schools resume a proactive role in assisting families, and, in order to create our schools as the caring and respectful communities we know they can be, we must look deeper/ We must be intentional, proactive, and comprehensive in our work to encourage the development of good character in young people.
Moral education is not a new idea. It is in fact as old as education itself. Down though history, in countries all over the world, education has had two great goals: to help young people become smart and to help them become good. Good character is not formed automatically; it is developed over time through a sustained process of teaching,example,learning, and practice-it is particularly important in today's society since our youth face many opportunities and dangers unknown to earlier generations.
They are bombarded with many more negative influences through the media and other external sources prevalent in today's culture. And at the same time, there are many more day-to-day pressures impinging on the time that parents and children have together.
Studies show that children spend only 33 hours a year in meaningful conversation with his or her parents, while they spend 1,500 hours of watching TV. Since students spend 900 hours a year in school, it is essential that schools resume a proactive role in assisting families, and, in order to create our schools as the caring and respectful communities we know they can be, we must look deeper/ We must be intentional, proactive, and comprehensive in our work to encourage the development of good character in young people.
OUR 6th grade Math Teacher Ms. Vacker created an interactive and creative character project. Ms. Vacker's students come up with creative ideas about how snow flakes are similar to the word respect. Students comes up with creative connections.
Our 7th Grade Math Teacher Mrs. Polat not only takes extra time to cover our core values throughout the month but also, she encourages her students to be creative how respect looks like and sounds like in the classroom, hallway, lunchroom and other areas of their lives.
Our 6th Grade teacher Ms. Hassan had created this community based poster board. Our school community provided their insight about why they are thankful. Learning about gratefulness is valuable.
One of our Paraprofessional faculty member Ms. Jocelyn has prepared this interactive poster board to improve the feelings of gratefulness among her students.
One of our dedicated paraprofessional Ms. Tracey prepared this interactive board to break the kindness challenge not only among the students but also among the faculty as well.
Some student challenges include:
* Say ,Hi to a staff member you don't know well, or may have never noticed.
* Write a thank you note to a teacher or faculty member who make a difference in your life.
* Make someone's day, a simple smile or or show random act of kindness to them.
* Help a teacher clean up after class.
* Stay after lunch and help clean lung room.
Some of Teacher challenges include:
* Cover someone's duty without them asking to you.
* Bring a treat to the teacher's lunch
* Send 5 positive notes home to parents about students in your class or students you know.
* Give a student a homework pass.
* Give your class a treat for no reason, except to make them smile.
* Send a positive sticky note to a teacher who may be having a hard day.
Some student challenges include:
* Say ,Hi to a staff member you don't know well, or may have never noticed.
* Write a thank you note to a teacher or faculty member who make a difference in your life.
* Make someone's day, a simple smile or or show random act of kindness to them.
* Help a teacher clean up after class.
* Stay after lunch and help clean lung room.
Some of Teacher challenges include:
* Cover someone's duty without them asking to you.
* Bring a treat to the teacher's lunch
* Send 5 positive notes home to parents about students in your class or students you know.
* Give a student a homework pass.
* Give your class a treat for no reason, except to make them smile.
* Send a positive sticky note to a teacher who may be having a hard day.