DISTRICT WIDE CHARACTER CERTAINLY

COUNTS/SEAL COMMITTEE!

Meeting Minutes

SANTAPOGUE

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2011

Present at meeting: Ellie Levy, Dominick Palma, Christine Tona, JoAnn Scott, Jen Carere, Julie Powers, Heidi Birr, Tim Kahler, Patti Caffey, Colleen Steffens, Kathrine Campbell, Theresa Parrish, Lucy Campasano, Jennifer Bergmann, Kaitlyn Seibert, Deb Henthorne, Trish Volz, Cassandra Mensch, Deb Henthorne, Deanne Casale, Ava Donohue, Gregg Cunningham, Melissa Joseph, Christina Delaney, Michelle Muggeo, Marissa Hymowitz and Bryan Felice

1.  The meeting began with opening comments about the importance of character education on school climate and success of the whole child/person. Thank you for coming after school hours and a long snowy day.

2.  Each building was asked to briefly share something special going on in their buildings for character education: JFK – they have chosen to implement “Character Kids” program. Each classroom will recognize at least 2 students each month in their classroom for demonstrating the character education pillar for that month. The teacher will provide the student with a certificate and conduct a classroom celebration. These students additionally will be making character quotes over the PA system each morning. South Bay – character education has been woven into our lessons and everyday school community. We see how effective we are when our students who move on to the JHS carry the good character traits. Forest – still continuing “Project Wisdom” with students chose to come down and share a poem or a quote of the day. Tooker – concentrating on making a banner saying that “Bullies are restricted” additionally we are transitioning to a new principal and helping the students to focus on that. Santapogue – shared a postcard that is sent home for students that are recognized for something special. Students may be embarrassed in front of other students so it’s a nice way to acknowledge students and let parents know how well their child is doing. Additionally, Ellie passed around a book entitled “The Red Ribbon Book, A Story of Hope”. There are connections to character education throughout the book and Santapogue is looking to celebrate Red Ribbon Week with this book. Maybe we could book an assembly program that goes with the presentation of the book. If the PTA’s could work together to have this presenter at more then one building, it would be cost efficient. JHS – we have been working with our transition committee, 6th graders during their lunch period come in and write messages and pictures on snowflakes that are then sent to the 5th graders. This special connection from student to student helps ease the transition to the JHS A bucket filling book was also given to the JHS “Keeping Your Lid On” They will take a look and see if it is something that can be used at our level.

3.  Bullying is such an important topic for this committee to look at; committee was then asked to share any anti-bullying initiatives that they have implemented; Forest – Anti- bullying workshop in the evening, children get to wear their pj’s and watch a message and a movie while parents listen to a presenter on things to help your child succeed. Santapogue – have been working hard with role playing in physical education classes. Also PTA has purchased street signs to add to our building. No name calling week will be celebrated by all buildings in the district. Each building is encouraged to go on the website and have students sign the pledge.

4.  Please start to think about a culminating end of the year activity; please provide ideas to Jen or Ellie by April 15 so that we can put them all together and send out to the district. Please consider adding music to the theme of the month. Character Counts has many inexpensive ways of incorporating excellent music.

5.  Committee was then asked to look over the article provided “Study Questions Effectiveness of Character Education”. Committee was asked for observations. The article only tracked 3rd thru 5th grade students. What happens to students after 5th grade? JoAnn commented that we do see evidence that it works! Dr. Palma commented on the way they presented the information, what about the ¾ of the teachers that did not teach character education. The ideal situation here is to teach character education in a variety of ways and doing things that we already do differently. We have been complimented on how we teach values. The roles of our school psychologist have changed. The committee commented that it is noticeable with new entrants to the district. Member asked “Do we track bullies? Or do we have a mechanism for “loner students?” helping students make friends and making sure they are not isolated. JHS works on mix it up days where they sit with someone new at lunch. Santapogue has students that are assigned buddies. South Bay is looking into “Kind hearted Kids 2 by 2” Where students are a foster parent for a stuffed animal. Each lesson aligns with the pillars.

6.  A reminder that all minutes of the individual building character education/SEAL meetings must go to Tony Cacciola and please provide a copy to Ellie.

7.  Please ask the principal to place CCC/SEAL on faculty meetings and to share what is happening in the buildings at faculty meetings.

8.  Handouts were given to the committee for additional resources and information; no-name calling pledges, anti-bullying legislation and article on effectiveness of teaching character education.

9.  Please go to character counts website, it has a tremendous amount of resources to share with the staff.

Next meeting – June - TBA