CHARACTERplus
Leads Nation
in Schools of Character 

 

Once again CHARACTERplus schools and districts are the leaders throughout the country in recognition as State Schools and Districts of Character by the Character Education Partnership. Fourteen of the 48 schools and districts recognized this year are CHARACTERplus members.These schools have demonstrated that their focus on character development has had a positive impact on academic achievement, student behavior and school climate.  

 

Recognition as a Missouri School of Character is a step toward being honored as a National School of Character. Those winners will be announced this spring. This year's state winners include the first Early Childhood Center to ever receive this designation. The districts and schools are:

  • Students at Pond Elementary, one of our newest State Schools of Character
    Belton School District: Mill Creek Upper Elementary
  • Fox School District: Antonia Middle
  • Jefferson City School District: Southwest Early Childhood
  • Lindbergh Schools: District of Character and Sperreng Middle
  • Mehlville School District: District of Character and Margaret Buerkle Middle, Oakville Middle and Wohlwend Elementary
  • Parkway School District: Oak Brook Elementary and Sorrento Springs Elementary
  • Rockwood School District: Pond Elementary
  • Special School District: Neuwoehner High
  • Wentzville School District: Prairie View Elementary
The State Schools of Character program for Missouri is administered by CHARACTERplus and is generously supported by the St. Louis Rams. 
 



Get a jolt of character education at the 20th CHARACTERplus National Conference! 
 
The conference takes place June 17-18 at the St. Charles Convention Center, with pre-conference workshops on June 16.  Save $50 with Early Bird pricing when you register by February 28!  Register today by clicking here, and get the buzz about the conference from some people who've experienced it by clicking here! 
 
The CHARACTERplus Way is the only character education program included on the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP).  Because of this NREPP designation federal and state funds such as Title funds may be available.  Contact your district for more information. 
 
Character in Action: 
Parkway Southwest Middle and Ethics for Students

 

We all have the opportunity to display good or poor character many times throughout a single day.  Now schools can give students the chance to decide which choice they would make when one of life's ethical decisions comes their way.

 

Southwest Middle in the Parkway School District is just one school that is utilizing the Better Business Bureau's Ethics Program for Students, a collaboration of the BBB and CHARACTERplus.  Together in their advisory classes, students watch everyday situations play out through video modules.  In each scenario ethical questions are raised and students are given the opportunity to weigh the possible courses of action.  As a group they choose which decision to make and then get to see how that plays out on video.

 

Parkway Southwest Middle students discuss a scenario in the BBB's ethics program.

For example, in one module a dad and his son drive through a bank line to make a withdrawal.  After pulling away, they discover that the bank accidentally gave them extra money. The video pauses and the students must decide how the two should proceed.  Should they return the money, or should they just figure the bank won't miss it and take it home?

 

"The kids are learning about making the right decision, even if it isn't the popular or easy one," said Craig Maxwell, principal at Parkway Southwest Middle.  "Each decision has a consequence."

 

Some of the modules address situations like the students may encounter themselves, such as the girl who has homework to do but is invited to go out by her friends.  Maxwell says that in his school the BBB's Ethics Program for Students has facilitated great conversation about the impact of your decisions.

 

The St. Louis BBB is offering the Ethics Program for Students free for a limited number of schools.  If you are interested in learning more, contact Diane Stirling at dstirling@edplus.org.

 

CHARACTERplus Included in Congressional Record

 

On November 13, 2013, Senator Roy Blunt commended CHARACTERplus and its role in helping schools achieve National School of Character (NSOC) status.  His commendation now appears on the Congressional Record for that day on page S7998 and can be viewed here. 

 


 

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