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CharacterFALL 2016

EducatEInspIrEEmpowEr

Everyone Counts n Beyond the Classroom n It’s Cool to Serve

Schools of

the magazine of

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Abraham Lincoln ElementaryBelleville, IllinoisPublic • Grades K–6Belleville District 118

Alan B. Shepard Elementary*Old Bridge, New JerseyPublic • Grades K–5Old Bridge Township Public Schools

Barretts Elementary SchoolManchester, Missouri Public • Grades K–5Parkway Schools

Bayless Elementary School*St. Louis, MissouriPublic • Grades PK–5Bayless School District

Bayless School District*St. Louis, MissouriPublic • Grades PK–12

Bowles Elementary School*Fenton, MissouriPublic • Grades K–5Rockwood School District

Brentwood Lower School*Los Angeles, CaliforniaPrivate • Grades K–6

Brooks Global Studies Elementary SchoolGreensboro, North CarolinaPublic • Grades K–5Guilford County Schools

Brown Deer Middle High SchoolBrown Deer, WisconsinPublic • Grades 7–12School District of Brown Deer

Busch Middle School of CharacterSt. Louis, MissouriPublic • Grades 6–8St. Louis Public Schools

Carl Sandburg Middle SchoolOld Bridge, New JerseyPublic • Grades 6–8Old Bridge Township Public Schools

Carusi Middle School*Cherry Hill, New JerseyPublic • Grades 6–8Cherry Hill Public Schools

Cedar Hill Elementary SchoolMontville, New JerseyPublic • Grades K–5Montville Township Public Schools

Clara Barton Elementary SchoolCherry Hill, New JerseyPublic • Grades K–5Cherry Hill Public Schools

Coppell Independent School DistrictPublic • Grades PK–12Coppell, Texas

Cottonwood Creek Elementary SchoolPublic • Grades K–5Coppell, Texas

Craig Elementary SchoolSt. Louis, MissouriPublic • Grades K–5Parkway Schools

Denton Creek Elementary SchoolCoppell, TexasPublic • Grades K–5Coppell Independent School District

Don Earl Early Childhood Center Arnold, MissouriPublic • Grades PKFox C-6 School District

Donald Stewart Center for Early Childhood School No. 51Elizabeth, New JerseyPublic • Grades PKElizabeth Public Schools

Edith A. Bogert SchoolUpper Saddle River, New JerseyPublic • Grades 3–5Upper Saddle River Schools

Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary SchoolMorrisville, PennsylvaniaPublic • Grades K–5Pennsbury School District

Embers Elementary SchoolNiles, IllinoisPrivate • Grades PK–5

Geggie Elementary School*Eureka, MissouriPublic • Grades K–5Rockwood School District

G.W. Robinson Elementary SchoolSeabrook, TexasPublic • Grades K–5Clear Creek Independent School District

Hargrave Military AcademyChatham, VirginiaPrivate • Grades 7–12

Hillside Elementary SchoolLivingston, New JerseyPublic • Grades K–5Livingston Public Schools

HL Brockett Elementary SchoolAubrey, TexasPublic • Grades K–4Aubrey Independent School District

Imagine Schools at South Lake*Clermont, FloridaCharter • Grades K–8Imagine Schools

Jefferson Elementary SchoolPryor, OklahomaPublic • Grades K–6Pryor Public Schools

John Cary Early Childhood CenterSt. Louis, MissouriPublic • Grades PK-KMehlville School District

Jonas E. Salk Middle SchoolLevittown, New YorkPublic • Grades 6–8Levittown Public Schools

Kiowa County Elementary and Junior High SchoolGreensburg, KansasPublic • Grades PK–8Kiowa County Schools

Leroy Gordon Cooper Elementary SchoolCliffwood Beach, New JerseyPublic • Grades K–5Old Bridge Township Public Schools

Lincoln Elementary SchoolClay Center, KansasPublic • Grades PK–3Unified School District 379 Clay County

Lincoln Elementary SchoolPryor, OklahomaPublic • Grades 1–6Pryor Public Schools

Lincoln Elementary School*Troy, MissouriPublic • Grades K–5Lincoln County School District

Makefield Elementary SchoolYardley, PennsylvaniaPublic • Grades K–5Pennsbury School District

NaTioNalschoolsofCharacter

*Received designation for a second time.

2016 Schools of Character n 5

Manor Elementary SchoolLevittown, PennsylvaniaPublic • Grades K–5Pennsbury School District

Marshall Leadership AcademyGrand Prairie, TexasPublic • Grades PK–5Grand Prairie Independent School District

McGalliard Elementary SchoolHamilton, New JerseyPublic • Grades K–5Hamilton Township School District

Meyer Middle SchoolRiver Falls, WisconsinPublic • Grades 6-8School District of River Falls

Mill Pond School*Westborough, MassachusettsPublic • Grades 4–6Westborough Public Schools

Muskogee Early Childhood CenterMuskogee, OklahomaPublic • Grades PKMuskogee Public Schools

North Plainfield High SchoolNorth Plainfield, New JerseyPublic • Grades 9-12North Plainfield School District

Norwood Elementary SchoolDundalk, MarylandPublic • Grades PK–3Baltimore County Public Schools

Nottingham Community Access and Job Training High SchoolSt. Louis, MissouriPublic • Grades 9–12St. Louis Public Schools

Oak Hill Elementary SchoolHigh Point, North CarolinaPublic • Grades PK–5Guilford County Schools

Parkside Elementary SchoolBrookhaven, PennsylvaniaPublic • Grades K–5Penn-Delco School District

Penn Valley Elementary SchoolLevittown, PennsylvaniaPublic • Grades K–5Pennsbury School District

Pennsbury High SchoolFairless Hills, PennsylvaniaPublic • Grades 9–12Pennsbury School District

Pinkerton Elementary SchoolCoppell, TexasPublic • Grades K–5Coppell Independent School District

Pleasant Prairie Elementary SchoolPleasant Prairie, WisconsinPublic • Grades PK–5Kenosha Unified School District

Rockwood School District*Eureka, MissouriPublic • Grades PK–12

Sappington Elementary School*St. Louis, MissouriPublic • Grades PK–5Lindbergh Schools

Southeast Guilford High SchoolGreensboro, North CarolinaPublic • Grades 9–12Guilford County Schools

St. Hope Leadership Academy*New York, New YorkCharter • Grades 5–8

Thomas W. Pyle Middle SchoolBethesda, MarylandPublic • Grades 6–8Montgomery County Public Schools

Turtle Hook Middle SchoolUniondale, New YorkPublic • Grades 6–8Uniondale Public Schools

Union AcademyMonroe, North CarolinaPublic Charter • Grades K–12

Uniondale High SchoolUniondale, New YorkPublic • Grades 9–12Uniondale Public Schools

Uthoff Valley Elementary School*Fenton, MissouriPublic • Grades K–5Rockwood School District

Valley Center Intermediate SchoolValley Center, KansasPublic • Grades 5–6Valley Center Unified School District

Valley Park Middle School*Valley Park, MissouriPublic • Grades 6–8Valley Park School District

Valley Stream Memorial Junior High SchoolValley Stream, New YorkPublic • Grades 7–9Valley Stream Central High School District

Valley Stream South High SchoolValley Stream, New YorkPublic • Grades 9–12Valley Stream Central High School District

Virgil Grissom Elementary SchoolOld Bridge, New JerseyPublic • Grades K–5Old Bridge Township Public Schools

Walt Disney Elementary SchoolLevittown, PennsylvaniaPublic • Grades K–5Pennsbury School District

Woerner Elementary School*St. Louis, MissouriPublic • Grades K–5St. Louis Public Schools

Woerther Elementary School*Ballwin, MissouriPublic • Grades K–5Rockwood School District

Woodmont Elementary SchoolPine Brook, New JerseyPublic • Grades K–5Montville Township Public Schools

yorktown Central School DistrictYorktown Heights, New YorkPublic • Grades K–12

sTaTeschoolsofCharacterCentral Elementary SchoolEast Hanover, New Jersey

George Guffey ElementaryFenton, Missouri

Haynes-Inman Education CenterJamestown, North Carolina

Kennard Classical Junior AcademySt. Louis, Missouri

Maple Road SchoolWest Milford, New Jersey

Martin Walker Elementary SchoolCopperas Cove, Texas

Porter-Gaud SchoolCharleston, South Carolina

Nicholas S. La Corte-Peterstown School No. 03Elizabeth, New Jersey

Sierra Vista Middle SchoolCovina, California

St. Mark’s Catholic SchoolSt. Paul, Minnesota

MexiCoschoolofCharacter (pilot program)

Secundaria de Technologia de MonterreyPrivate • Grades 9-12Chihuahua, Mexico

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akefield Elementary School (grades K–5) in Yardley, Pennsylvania takes its school motto, “A Great Place to Learn and Grow,” quite literally.

Not only is GROW an acronym for its values (Giving to Others, Respect and Responsibility, Own Your Behavior and Work to Build Your Character), but the Learning Garden (a 2015 Promising Practice) has become everyone’s favorite school spot, serving as a tangible monument to the partnership of school and community. All students work together, first installing borders, moving tons of dirt, mulch and stone, and then planting, watering, fertilizing and harvesting their own vegetables and flowers. In exciting hands-on lessons, the teachers connect this garden to science. The community comes to the rescue too. When a shed was needed, Timothy Swanicke, a former student, built it for his Eagle Scout project, along with the help of his Troop 23. With the financial support of the Pennsbury Education Foundation, materials donated by local companies and individuals and the labor of volunteers, the Learning Bench and shed can indeed trace their genealogical roots to many loving hands.

In many ways, Makefield’s Learning Garden serves as an analogy for the worthwhile results that occur when school

and community join together to produce “what’s best for the children.” Ten of our 2016 National Schools of Character come from just two districts—Pennsbury School District in Pennsbury, Pennsylvania and Old Bridge Township Public Schools in Old Bridge, New Jersey, both of which were 2015 National Districts of Character. Not content to sit on their laurels, these districts, bolstered by a committed community and parents fully invested in character education, have made certain that all their schools are truly practicing good character.

A large district with over 10,000 students drawn from four towns, Pennsbury encourages each school to develop a program that works best for its students, but all follow Pennsbury Pride, a “commitment to academic excellence, character, leadership, partnerships and community service.” Old Bridge has managed to unite more than 9,000 students in 16 schools spread over 42 square miles into one happy family by implementing the six pillars of Character Counts. Ask folks in either district who is the character champion, its guru and its cheerleader, and you are bound to hear, “our assistant superintendent.” All acknowledge the vital roles played by Dr. Donna Dunar of Pennsbury and Dr. Kathleen Hoeker of Old Bridge. Coincidentally, both assistant superintendents have served as principals in previous National Schools of Character.

learn & Grow

GreAt PlACeSto10

n EmpowEr

m

2016 Schools of Character n 45

n Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary School (grades K–5) in Morrisville, PA

n Makefield Elementary School (grades K–5) in Yardley, PA

n Manor Elementary School (grades K–5) in Levittown, PA

n Penn Valley Elementary School (grades K–5), in Levittown, PA

n Walt Disney Elementary School (grades K–5), in Levittown, PA

n Pennsbury High School (grades 9–12) in Fairless Hills, PA

n Alan B. Shepard Elementary School (grades K–5) in Old Bridge, NJ

n Leroy Gordon Cooper Elementary School (grades K–5) in Cliffwood Beach, NJ

n Virgil Grissom Elementary School (grades K–5) in Old Bridge, NJ

n Carl Sandburg Middle School (grades 6–8) in Old Bridge, NJ

“character education has thrived in the Pennsbury School district because all of us have

made a definite commitment to it—the community, the board, the administrators, the staff, the students. As a result,

our schools are wonderful places to learn and grow.” —-dr. donna M. dunar, assistant superintendent,

Curriculum & Instruction, Pennsbury School district, PA

Leroy Gordon Cooper Elementary School

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A Mindset to help othersAlthough Pennsbury’s Makefield and Eleanor Roosevelt use different character approaches—Makefield uses the GROW motif and Eleanor Roosevelt dramatizes its values as Superheroes—both schools emphasize the importance of helping others. Makefield works with the Peace Center that trains peer mediators to combat bullying. Principal Donna McCormick-Miller points out how the school is at the forefront of autism and Down Syndrome awareness. Danielle Frost, the parent of three children, one of whom has autism, says, “My son has significant behavioral challenges, and he often acts out in a way that would exclude him from acceptance by his peers. The teachers and staff at Makefield work with him to ensure his happiness, inclusion and fostering of friendships. He participates in many activities I never dreamed possible, and his accomplishments are celebrated!”

“Students help one another academically and emotionally, using encouraging language,” says Kim Dryzga, a special education teacher at Eleanor Roosevelt, which, like Makefield, has changed the special education process from one of isolation to one of inclusion. Donna Horner, an intermediate special education teacher, says the general education students have become more “compassionate,” and says she often hears words of encouragement: “You can do this, you need to keep trying.” Principal Lisa Follman and her staff have reinvigorated student leadership through a student Character Council. The motivating Council has made the values, called Falcon Feathers, into a way of life here through videos that introduce their superheroes and teach the younger grades. Life-size cardboard figures of the superheroes greet you everywhere.

Eleanor Roosevelt wisely calls on parents in its quest to help others. A February highlight is the Aid for Friends program that assists the elderly members of the community. After families donate breakfast items, students pack breakfast bags which are then distributed. The parents and grandparents also help the educational process, volunteering as assistants in the Kid Writing program, a 30-minute period in which intergenerational help makes writing fun. Family pets can even serve as volunteers at Roosevelt. Parents can sign up to share a pet, thus aiding children in relieving stress, reading without anxiety and making connections to each other.

pennsbury schools: teamwork in ActionThree Pennsbury schools in Levittown—Manor, Penn Valley and Walt Disney—are solid proof that teamwork does indeed work. Manor’s theme, “Manor Strong: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe,” came from feedback from parents, faculty, students and community. Faculty then identified what these values should look like and sound like in “Cool Tool” lessons. Students, in turn, practice these behaviors and social skills. Fifth grader Sam says, “Teachers clarify expectations and remind us to be kind to others.” Riley, in third grade, says her teacher “does fun things to motivate us to be good.” Sophia, a second grader, says, “Before I became Manor Strong, I threw a fit, but now I know how to act respectfully, and it has changed me!”

Manor parents are also changed by the process. The school includes them in a host of workshops teaching parenting skills and tying character to academics. “This is a very tradition-oriented family

Makefield Elementary School

2016 Schools of Character n 47

community,” shares Principal Terri Salvucci. Parents report that the school’s accent on character has made a big improvement in their children’s behavior at home and that kindness now seems the norm both inside and outside school. Parent Maryanne McGinty observes, “Students encourage each other in the hallway to be good.”

Penn Valley, first named a National School of Character in 2003, has been anything but stagnant. Under the leadership of a new principal, Barbara Hidalgo, and inspired by Steve Gruenert’s School Culture Rewired, staff, parents and students joined hands to create a new theme, “We R PV,” which stands for “Working towards Excellence, Respect, Pride and Values.” Pam McGrath, a parent, praises the newsletters, workshops, caring staff and spirit that have made the school a “family.” When her husband talked about moving, she admits, “I could not leave my school where my kids and I are welcome and where they have had seamless transitions…”

Leadership goes beyond the adults, and students are part of long-range and short range goals—working in service groups and buddy classes. The music classes have created the lyrics and motions for the Six Pillar Shuffle which they perform with gusto. In this “No Place for Hate School,” students work closely with the Peace Center of Bucks County. Kate Whitman, director of the Bullying Prevention Resource Center (a branch of the Peace Center), sees “firsthand how school climate and approach to character can impact the lives of children and their communities” and says, “This school is truly the heartbeat and foundation of the community it serves.”

If Walt Disney Elementary, true to its name, seems a bit magical, it should. The school still maintains a partnership with the Walt Disney Company begun in 1954, and the original Disney artwork animates the school, fostering a spirit of fun. “It feels good when you walk in the door,” says Amanda Reed, the secretary to Disney’s principal, Laurie Gafgen, who greets students by name adding, “Good Morning Family” or “Hello, Friends.” But there is much learning that takes place in addition to this spirit of fun. Staff and students follow the school’s motto, “Disney Students are Respectful, Responsible and Safe,” very earnestly, and strategies such as morning meetings, bucket-filling, teacher-created skits modeling good character and the Golden Rule program help students internalize and practice the values. The relationship with parents and the wider community is excellent. Parent Cheryl Brito remarks that teachers “know all of the children.” Hillary Bass, another parent, describes the staff as being “very nurturing, and they treat kids as if they are their own.” Ellyn, a fifth grader, concurs: “They discipline with kindness while teaching you.”

Although Pennsbury High School is no stranger to stellar honors for academics and service, ironically, it is best known nationally for its prom—one more example of well-orchestrated Pennsbury teamwork involving students, staff, parents and community. Named the “Best Prom in America” by Reader’s Digest, this year’s grand celebration, held in the gym, recreated the glitz of the Roaring Twenties as the senior class celebrated with a “Going Gatsby” theme. Tony Napoli, the senior prom adviser, declares that the event could not be put together without the combined efforts of many: “It’s just a really positive atmosphere for everyone involved.”

old Bridge township and outstanding outreachAlan B. Shepard, the first of Old Bridge Township’s schools to be named a National School of Character in 2011 and the first to be recertified this year, has been relentless as a crusader for character. Using a coaching model learned through a Rutgers University

grant, Dr. Kathleen Hoeker, the original principal who is now the assistant superintendent, has made certain that the message has spread. The effort worked since now all of Old Bridge’s 12 elementary schools as well as a middle school and the high school are National Schools of Character.

Joseph Marinzoli, Shepard’s current principal, points out how the parents and the wider community are active contributors in character initiatives. For example, the PTA hosts all family fun gatherings, fundraisers and school-wide celebrations that

infuse the core values. Parents plan and run the “Holidays around the World” celebration which honors cultural differences, and they also are active participants in the workshops of Parent University.

A highlight of the year is the Disability Awareness Day, which Counselor Jean Czarkowski calls “a fun day of learning, love, acceptance and true compassion.” Over 20 agencies from the state do hands-on activities with the entire student body to educate them about disabilities and stir compassion for others who are different. Parent Jennifer Martin, who has a son with a disability, says, “From day one, we were made to feel a part of the Shepard family. Teachers and students alike welcomed James with open arms.” She adds, “It made me feel hopeful for my son’s future.”

“We always want to get better. We are very self-reflective; we always want to know what we can do better next month,” says Cathy Gramata, the principal of Leroy Gordon Cooper, a school with a student body that is close to 40 percent economically disadvantaged. Cooper, like Shepard, is shaping passionate student activists. For example, a student and his parent initiated Trick or Treating for a Cause, which collects new and gently used books, games, puzzles and art supplies for children receiving treatment at Monmouth Medical and Cystic Fibrosis Center.

“teachers and students alike

welcomed James with open arms. It made me feel

hopefulfor my son’s future.”

—Jennifer Martin, parent, Alan B. Shepard Elementary School

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Joseph Catena, a parent of a kindergartner and a third grader, comments on the essence of a Cooper education, which he calls “a real world experience, not a school experience.” Clearly, a service learning initiative that stands out is the Farming Service Project. Fifth graders cultivated the land outside their classrooms, planted seeds (Superintendent David Cittadino even lent a hand) and harvested the vegetables which they took to a local food bank. But teaching has to be added to their accomplishments. As a result of their presentation on the benefits of recycling, the K–4 students joined the cause and began composting their leftovers from lunch. Fifth-grade teacher Jennifer Sullivan, in describing the student outreach, says, “What is most amazing about Cooper is the drive students have to help others, when they themselves live without.”

Dr. Anthony Arico, the principal of Virgil Grissom, known to his students as a “second dad,” beams when he talks about the way that his students work to improve the lives of others. The. Character Ambassadors represent Grissom in the larger community, developing character initiatives, and all classes plan and complete service projects such as collecting backpacks for students in Guatemala, making holiday placemats for seniors and collecting goods for charities.

What truly distinguishes Grissom is the way parents have joined the effort. They have established the Grissom Cares Committee to help families that have suffered a loss due to an economic crisis, natural disaster or illness/death. The committee cooks, offers childcare and often makes financial donations to the families. Kevin Borsilli, a community member, calls Grissom “a leader in building a community of families, as well as a leader in community

involvement.” “When a family is going through difficult times, the Grissom Community pulls together to help them.” Pat Scire, a parent, is happy that Grissom has given her children “the foundation to do great things and become great adults.” She adds that her son “has learned so much from staff beyond reading and writing; he has learned to be part of a community to participate in giving to others and being a better person.”

A lasting CommitmentThe commitment to serve set in the elementary schools continues on through the middle school years. Clubs galore here—and all are engaged in service, from the Builders Club, an active group that works tirelessly to complete community-wide programs, to the Environmental Club that works with the township recycling coordinator to educate its members on the merits of recycling. Students also attend county seminars and retreats to address the global issues faced by our country, and the Peer Mediators works closely with the New Jersey State Bar Association on the county level to receive training in conflict resolution.

Mary Spina, the president of the Kiwanis Club, praises the work of Sandburg, stating that it “promotes leadership, friendship and self-esteem for all of its students.” Although Spina’s words are intended to describe the students at Carl Sandburg, they may just as easily apply to the character development and service learning practices of all 10 schools in the Pennsbury and Old Bridge Township districts. Although these schools are quite different, they are fueled by a common goal of making the world a better place. And it is obvious that they are doing a good job of achieving that goal already. n

Carl Sandburg Middle School