Whole Child Education

"This suburban school provides programs that promote healthy eating, stress reduction, cardiovascular fitness, and personal and social responsibility. After-school Zumba workouts numerous community resources are available to families and provide support for a healthy lifestyle. Project Fit America, a national nonprofit public charity dedicated to getting kids fit, is integral to supporting the school in reversing the lack of fitness in children and in teaching children to take personal responsibility for their health.

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Lake Bluff School (LB) is a neighborhood school within the diverse community of Shorewood, Wisc. The schools in Shorewood are the hub of the community and LB is considered a jewel in that hub, in no small part because of efforts with character education (CE). The LB staff unanimously decided to implement an intentional CE program in response to a parent survey that showed several areas of concern regarding student behavior. Work with character has transformed the school culture and climate.
 

Lima Primary is committed to advocating for the total well-being of their students. A schoolwide philosophy of students being at the forefront of decisions, collaboration, continuous reflection, and interest in lifelong learning guides the School Improvement Team at the school. A wellness focus for all members of the school family; an active, year-long garden; student learning experiences; and an inquiry-based, balanced literacy program are just a few ways faculty, parents, and kids work together to fulfill the school’s philosophy. School Leader's core values guide others in the community by embedding whole-child tenets in the daily programs provided to students.
 

Walnut Street School, with a diverse student population that is 42 percent African-American and 48 percent Hispanic, initiated a character education program six years ago in response to escalating gang violence. The initiative accomplished much more: It now defines the school’s approach to learning and to life. This school has narrowed, and in some cases reversed, the achievement gap. Character education is now an integral part of the schoolwide plan. Quarterly assemblies reinforce character lessons. The school ties character education to sports activities. The G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training) program teaches about bullying prevention and learning not to be a bystander. Walnut Street uses multiple strategies to reach every student. Parental support is strong; the school was named a PTA School of Excellence.
 

Named a 2011 National School of Character by whole child partner the Character Education Partnership, Bowles Elementary School was one of the first schools in the Rockwood School District to pilot the Caring School Community model. Over the past seven years, it has moved from a "trait of the month" approach to a deeper, more comprehensive approach tied to curriculum and content. While Bowles' socioeconomic status is the second lowest in Rockwood, this Title I school continues to strive to be among the highest achieving of the 19 elementary schools in the district. Former principal Dave Cobb describes Bowles as a caring community that places a priority on building relationships. "Without relationships, we believe that strong character cannot be achieved." Building relationships is challenging, given the school’s ever-shifting demographics. But that diversity and student mobility has "challenged us to do out-of-the-box thinking," according to Cobb. "We literally have to do whatever it takes." Despite demographic changes, Cobb notes that Bowles has been able to maintain parental support and good test scores.

Named a 2011 National School of Character by whole child partner the Character Education Partnership, Roosevelt Primary School is committed to providing a Successful Appropriate Foundation to Educate all children. The key letters spell out SAFE. The school has created a caring community—or, as staff and parents would say, a "family." Principal Dina Rocheleau says, "My staff is so committed to make this work, and they have such a connection with each other. Even when they have conflict with each other, they know how to resolve it." Under the guidance of this principal, staff created classroom climates that teach children essential values. They moved to a relation-based approach that focuses on love, safety, and the whole child. There is no competition at Roosevelt, and they celebrate successes as a class and a school family. Service learning projects emphasize to young children that not only should they be helpful, safe, kind, respectful, and responsible within the school but that their outreach to people beyond the campus makes a world of difference. First-grade teacher Jennifer Zublick observes: "Our staff works together so well."

Named a 2011 National School of Character by whole child partner the Character Education Partnership, Pierce Elementary School has made a significant transformation as a result of adopting character education as its focus. The changes have impacted students and staff alike. The administration, along with the leadership of the character education and wellness committees, have all played positive roles in this transformation. The touchstone, Pierce Path, unified the school community with a common language, and projects such as the Family Path (the opportunity for families to create their own touchstone and highlight core values) are universally recognized at the school. Several school-wide events focused on character are held throughout the year, including Spirit Week, Peace Day, and assemblies. The school utilizes "town meetings" by grade level and allows for ample reflection at the student level. The addition of a shared grade-level planning time helped to rejuvenate and inspire teachers and led to formation of an ethical learning community.

Parents and staff consistently refer to Oakwood Elementary School as "the best-kept secret in Glen Burnie." The sense of caring and compassion that has been fostered here, as well as the dedication to meeting the individual needs of students, has translated into a remarkable narrowing of the achievement gap and academic excellence for all. In class, students help one another, soothe each other, and share classroom materials. Teachers help children in such seamless and natural ways that no child is singled out for being "special." Named a 2011 National School of Character by whole child partner the Character Education Partnership, Oakwood's staff finds strategies that suit every student, and they have devised a consistent set of expectations for student behavior throughout the building. Parents feel well informed and welcome in the school and are involved in character education leadership. When asked about how the school has made such remarkable academic gains, former principal Nancy Knouse responds: "Everybody in this building is working for kids. Nobody ever gives up on any child."

Established in 1995 as one of the first charter schools in Massachusetts, Benjamin Frankilin Classical Charter Public School (BFCCPS) also has the distinction of being among the first schools in the country to be named National Schools of Character, in 1998. Named a National School of Character again in 2011 by whole child partner the Character Education Partnership, the mission of BFCCPS is to assist parents in their role as primary educators of their children by providing students with a classical academic education coupled with sound character development and community service.

One of the key strengths of BFCCPS is its determination to maintain its original unique and focused vision to integrate virtues not only into its mission but into what takes place there every day—and its history of success in doing so. In addition to providing an education based on the cardinal virtues of the ancient Greeks, BFCCPS uses a teaching strategy borrowed from an American founder, Benjamin Franklin, to set weekly character goals which enable staff and students to focus on these virtues in both academics and personal interactions, in order to help develop virtuous habits. Also, the school incorporates current research based strategies taken from Responsive Classroom, such as class meetings and service opportunities, to facilitate reflection on the character goals and practice in achieving them.

Renfro Elementary School special education teacher Mary Anne Hempsted observes, "This school is the most welcoming place that I have ever worked. People respond to any need." Renfro's teachers and students connect through class meetings and the cross-grade level "families." Each family creates their own silent family greeting that they use whenever they encounter a "family member" in the halls. Named a 2011 National School of Character by whole child partner the Character Education Partnership, Renfro defines character to include thinking, feeling, and doing and takes a very comprehensive, intentional, proactive approach to character education. Carrie White, parent of a second grader and a kindergartner, praises the common language used at the school, which carries into the home, and observes that the words mean the same at school and at home. Entire classrooms of students are recognized for showing good character, not individuals. Third-grade teacher Carolyn Demaree says, "Every adult cares for the students in this school and holds them accountable."