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Academy for Character Education presents CMS with Champion of Character award
By Sesame Campbell
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
CHATHAM - As only one of 13 schools in New York state to be presented the prestigious Champion of Character Award, Chatham Middle School's recognition by the Academy for Character Education at the Russell Sage Colleges is an extraordinary accomplishment, especially when one considers that there are 659 public school districts throughout the state, each with several schools.
"Chatham Middle School is recognized for continuing their focus on character education. Through classroom meetings, peer mediation and a peer tutoring program, their mentor club and their Character Counts Six Pillars Program, they have continued to incorporate new concepts into their program," said Director Dr. John Walko in presenting the award to Middle School Assistant Principle Larry Burud. "These moral leaders are developing an understanding of their school's core values, sensitivity to cultural diversity and learning to express their common humanity."
Middle School Principal Gordon Fitting said he was thrilled that Chatham was a recipient of the award. "It is an award for everyone in the building," he said. "To be a recipient is quite an honor. To receive this award in two consecutive years is a double accomplishment."
Like Fitting, Burud said that the award was the result of a team effort. We're all productive members of a larger group," Burud said. "While academics are essential, we have to go beyond that. Character education is part of the development of the whole child. Their social growth is equally as important."
Character education at the middle school was, in part, a result of the SAVE legislation that was enacted after 2000 to address issues of school safety and violence prevention. According to a 2001 memo sent to superintendents and educators throughout the state, school districts are bound to instruct students on the importance of civility, citizenship and character education, specifically those "principles of honesty, tolerance, personal responsibility, respect for others, observance of laws and rules, courtesy, dignity and other traits which will enhance the quality of their experiences in, and contributions to, the community."
At the core of the middle school's Character Education Program is classroom meetings, peer mediation, a peer tutoring program, a mentor club and the Character Counts Six Pillars Program. This past fall, a team of 10 students and 10 adults were trained by National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) model. Cyndy Herron, a school counselor, facilitates the weekly classroom meetings, which serve as an important part of the school community. These meetings give students and adults the opportunity to belong and develop working relationships.
"Kids are more willing to talk things out now as opposed to years ago when they would start swinging first," Burud said. "Today, we place a greater emphasis on counseling and the process. "We spend the time to try to help students resolve disputes. They need to be heard. You can't have an ego with students at this age. They need to be heard."
There are three levels to the awards process. Last year, Chatham was one of six schools to receive the award on a less stringent level. This year, they are one of 13 in the state at a higher level. "We're hoping that next year we'll be picked for the top award," Burud said. "I have to tell you that none of this would be possible without staff like ours and the support of parents who are phenomenal."
For sixth- and seventh-grade students Sierra Shufelt, Max Lagonia and Kody Skype, the character education curriculum has been instrumental in helping them navigate through some difficult situations.
"It's about learning how to stick up for each other and how to do it right," Skype said.
"You never know what a kid is going through, said Lagonia. "Kids have their own stuff - they have their own problems. Parents get divorced, there's stress about money. You just never know."
Shufelt recalled an instance where she was an "ally" to a kid who was picked on. "There was a kid who got picked on and I walked up and asked him if he was OK. Other kids were laughing, but I told them that it wasn't right. They stopped."
Skype recalled a story that he heard during the diversity training at Russell Sage College. A valedictorian gave a speech at his graduation and thanked those who helped him make it through some tough times. The valedictorian said that years before, he had been repeatedly bullied and picked on by other kids. One day, he had had enough and decided to kill himself. He described how he cleaned out his locker so his mother wouldn't have to do it later. As he carried his things home for what he thought would be the last time, a boy came to his assistance when some bullies had knocked down his books.
"Years later he told the boy that the day he befriended him was the day he was going to kill himself," Skype said. "The friendship saved his life. You never know who you're going to help."
When asked how character education has helped them, Skype said, "We've made a huge impact on the other kids. My cousin's in the fifth grade and when we first talked to them and went back, they told us they felt proud when they stood up for other kids. It's like a revolving door. Sixth graders teach the fifth graders."
"It's totally made an impact," said Shufelt. "Kids think it's cool. At the Morris I heard kids talking about how cool it is. I wish we had had this in the fifth grade, because the eighth graders were bullies."
Lagonia explained how proud they were to have a strategic planning meeting with the Board of Education members. "We were able to bring the program to the board. We showed them what the program is and how it's helping our school."
Shufelt noted that before she started the program she wasn't perfect. "I've learned a lot in this group," she said. "I feel like I can stick up for people. Before, I was afraid, now I feel strong to do it. Kids are a lot happier, too. I don't like seeing people down."
Skype said, "Yeah ... unlike the economy, we're going up."
Lagonia said that they have learned that there is a right way of sticking up for other kids and a wrong way. "We're trying to teach kids the right way. I would like to go to the older kids - the seventh and eighth graders who are bullying - and try to talk to them."
Jackie Hoffman, the other school counselor, spoke about her experiences with the program. She said she has noticed an improvement since the program's inception.
"NCBI students are more connected with other students and their leadership skills are being developed," she said. "Staff is helping and implementing lessons in their classrooms to help our mission. It's an evolving program. We're trying to make it student run." She laughed, "I'm just their agent."
CHATHAM - As only one of 13 schools in New York state to be presented the prestigious Champion of Character Award, Chatham Middle School's recognition by the Academy for Character Education at the Russell Sage Colleges is an extraordinary accomplishment, especially when one considers that there are 659 public school districts throughout the state, each with several schools.
"Chatham Middle School is recognized for continuing their focus on character education. Through classroom meetings, peer mediation and a peer tutoring program, their mentor club and their Character Counts Six Pillars Program, they have continued to incorporate new concepts into their program," said Director Dr. John Walko in presenting the award to Middle School Assistant Principle Larry Burud. "These moral leaders are developing an understanding of their school's core values, sensitivity to cultural diversity and learning to express their common humanity."
Middle School Principal Gordon Fitting said he was thrilled that Chatham was a recipient of the award. "It is an award for everyone in the building," he said. "To be a recipient is quite an honor. To receive this award in two consecutive years is a double accomplishment."
Like Fitting, Burud said that the award was the result of a team effort. We're all productive members of a larger group," Burud said. "While academics are essential, we have to go beyond that. Character education is part of the development of the whole child. Their social growth is equally as important."
Character education at the middle school was, in part, a result of the SAVE legislation that was enacted after 2000 to address issues of school safety and violence prevention. According to a 2001 memo sent to superintendents and educators throughout the state, school districts are bound to instruct students on the importance of civility, citizenship and character education, specifically those "principles of honesty, tolerance, personal responsibility, respect for others, observance of laws and rules, courtesy, dignity and other traits which will enhance the quality of their experiences in, and contributions to, the community."
At the core of the middle school's Character Education Program is classroom meetings, peer mediation, a peer tutoring program, a mentor club and the Character Counts Six Pillars Program. This past fall, a team of 10 students and 10 adults were trained by National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) model. Cyndy Herron, a school counselor, facilitates the weekly classroom meetings, which serve as an important part of the school community. These meetings give students and adults the opportunity to belong and develop working relationships.
"Kids are more willing to talk things out now as opposed to years ago when they would start swinging first," Burud said. "Today, we place a greater emphasis on counseling and the process. "We spend the time to try to help students resolve disputes. They need to be heard. You can't have an ego with students at this age. They need to be heard."
There are three levels to the awards process. Last year, Chatham was one of six schools to receive the award on a less stringent level. This year, they are one of 13 in the state at a higher level. "We're hoping that next year we'll be picked for the top award," Burud said. "I have to tell you that none of this would be possible without staff like ours and the support of parents who are phenomenal."
For sixth- and seventh-grade students Sierra Shufelt, Max Lagonia and Kody Skype, the character education curriculum has been instrumental in helping them navigate through some difficult situations.
"It's about learning how to stick up for each other and how to do it right," Skype said.
"You never know what a kid is going through, said Lagonia. "Kids have their own stuff - they have their own problems. Parents get divorced, there's stress about money. You just never know."
Shufelt recalled an instance where she was an "ally" to a kid who was picked on. "There was a kid who got picked on and I walked up and asked him if he was OK. Other kids were laughing, but I told them that it wasn't right. They stopped."
Skype recalled a story that he heard during the diversity training at Russell Sage College. A valedictorian gave a speech at his graduation and thanked those who helped him make it through some tough times. The valedictorian said that years before, he had been repeatedly bullied and picked on by other kids. One day, he had had enough and decided to kill himself. He described how he cleaned out his locker so his mother wouldn't have to do it later. As he carried his things home for what he thought would be the last time, a boy came to his assistance when some bullies had knocked down his books.
"Years later he told the boy that the day he befriended him was the day he was going to kill himself," Skype said. "The friendship saved his life. You never know who you're going to help."
When asked how character education has helped them, Skype said, "We've made a huge impact on the other kids. My cousin's in the fifth grade and when we first talked to them and went back, they told us they felt proud when they stood up for other kids. It's like a revolving door. Sixth graders teach the fifth graders."
"It's totally made an impact," said Shufelt. "Kids think it's cool. At the Morris I heard kids talking about how cool it is. I wish we had had this in the fifth grade, because the eighth graders were bullies."
Lagonia explained how proud they were to have a strategic planning meeting with the Board of Education members. "We were able to bring the program to the board. We showed them what the program is and how it's helping our school."
Shufelt noted that before she started the program she wasn't perfect. "I've learned a lot in this group," she said. "I feel like I can stick up for people. Before, I was afraid, now I feel strong to do it. Kids are a lot happier, too. I don't like seeing people down."
Skype said, "Yeah ... unlike the economy, we're going up."
Lagonia said that they have learned that there is a right way of sticking up for other kids and a wrong way. "We're trying to teach kids the right way. I would like to go to the older kids - the seventh and eighth graders who are bullying - and try to talk to them."
Jackie Hoffman, the other school counselor, spoke about her experiences with the program. She said she has noticed an improvement since the program's inception.
"NCBI students are more connected with other students and their leadership skills are being developed," she said. "Staff is helping and implementing lessons in their classrooms to help our mission. It's an evolving program. We're trying to make it student run." She laughed, "I'm just their agent."
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