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Schoolwide Program Suggestions
- Establish school-wide rituals and traditions that enhance student interactions and school climate.
- Display character quotes in the hallways, media center, on computer screensavers, school marquee, etc.
- Encourage your school’s RtI/PBS committee to develop school-wide curricular projects and activities that emphasize character development.
- Involve student government in formulating plans on how to promote character development and civility in the school.
- Establish a peer-mentoring program at your school or amongst your feeder schools.
- Have students write and produce skits emphasizing good character. Videotape these skits for your school’s television/announcements program.
- Create a Character Education bulletin board or mural at your school that includes quotes, pictures, and other character-related items.
- Highlight civic-mindedness and volunteerism at your school. You can accomplish this through a student recognition program, e.g. monthly announcement of students who have volunteered at least 5 hours for the month.
- Much in character education is caught and not taught. All staff members must model what they want the students to do. Suggestions: greet students at the bus loop or classroom door; establish classroom routines and procedures; provide additional time for students to master materials if they ask for it; exemplify the character traits in your interactions with students and colleagues.
- Consider writing a “Caught ‘Ya” book within your school where students or staff write anecdotes about the various character traits they have “caught” others exemplifying.
- Recognize that character is as important as academics. If students are more civil to each other, then the teacher has more time to teach, and the student has more time to learn.