- Raising the bar: character education and health and fitness
- Lessons from the NSOC: making every child feel special
- Call for program proposals for Forum 2013
- Promising Practices application due March 17
- Lesson plans and service projects for MLK Day
NEWS
Call Your Representative to Support School Climate Initiatives
In the aftermath of the Sandy Hook tragedy, CEP was honored to be invited by the White House to help advance the national conversation regarding school safety. We were equally honored to see that one of the President's recommendations called for a new, $50 million initiative to help 8,000 more schools train their teachers and other school staff to implement evidence-based strategies to improve school climate. The Administration will also develop a school climate survey, providing reliable data to help schools implement policies to improve climate. If you support such measures, let the the President, your Representative, and/or your Senators know!
NATIONAL SCHOOLS OF CHARACTER
Do Your Best to Make Every Child Feel Special
By Eileen Dachnowicz
“Have you ever had a bad feeling about going to a new school? Well, it’s different when you walk into Allen Creek. You don’t have to fit into the school; the school fits into you.”
—Nate, Fifth Grader, Allen Creek Elementary School
Although Nate is just in fifth grade at Allen Creek Elementary (grades K–5) in Rochester, New York, he
already has the wisdom of a venerable sage. Nate colorfully captures his school’s special talent for welcoming all students into its family. Some 800 miles to the west, Leon Cluck, a speech pathologist at Northview High School (grades 9–12) in Florissant, Missouri, says the same thing but in more formal language: “At Northview the environment is built to the students’ needs, rather than trying to fit the students to the environment.”
Read more >>
NATIONAL SCHOOLS OF CHARACTER
Character Education: Important Tool for Meeting Student Needs
By Lara Maupin
NSOC Director
As teachers we are increasingly required to meet the varied individual needs of our students. We receive in-service training on differentiation and the impact of poverty and executive function, for example. But how do we put it all together in our
increasingly crowded classrooms day in and day out? How do we help all our students reach their full potential?
Character education is here to help. When we focus on character development, we make our high expectations clear and meaningful to students while building strong, caring relationships with and among our students. Read more >>
NATIONAL FORUM
Submit Your Program Proposals for Forum 2013
CEP invites you to submit a proposal to present at the 2013 National Forum on Character Education. The conference theme will be "Education for Character at Home, in School and in Communities." We seek proposals from top scholars, teachers, counselors and other school personnel, as well as parents, students and community members. Follow this link to learn more and to submit your proposal.
NATIONAL FORUM
Order Video of National Forum Keynote Bertice Berry's Inspiring Speech
Bertice Berry’s closing keynote at the Forum brought many in the audience to tears. When she finished, a crowd approached her, many asking for copies of her speech. Although she typically does not allow her speech to be videotaped and shared, she is making an exception for CEP. She was so concerned that many had to cancel attendance to the Forum because of the storm, and she wants to support our mission, so she is offering a DVD of her speech for a limited time as a fundraiser for CEP. She asks that purchasers honor her request that the speech not be shared or posted to any social media sites. If you are interested in obtaining a copy, please submit this form to CEP via fax, e-mail or mail.
PROMISING PRACTICES
Promising Practices Applications Due March 17
New details this year are a category for youth-serving
organizations, better uploading capability for photos, and a $20 application fee per practice (payable at the end of the application process).
Plan accordingly, talk to your colleagues, and select your school, district, or organization’s strongest Promising Practice in Character Education for national recognition. Winners will be announced in May 2013. Apply here.
FAREWELL
Goodbye from our Web Content Coordinator
Dear CEP Friends and Family,
It has been a pleasure to serve as the web content coordinator for the last year and a half. Sadly, the time has come to move on.
I would like to leave you with these parting words. You know that character education is not a frill nor a diversion nor an add-on. It is a necessity to ensure student success. It is time for all of us to unite to prevent feelings of disengagement, anger, and hate among children that all too often result in tragedy. Please commit to building character in your schools, because it will spread throughout the community -- person to person, and family to family. We all need to know that we have something to offer the world, and through developing our character – our selves – we can begin to learn what that is.
Sincerely,
Katie Hood
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COLUMN
Raising the Bar: Improving Your Health and Fitness
By Joe Mazzola
Personal Fitness Trainer
Millions of Americans are overweight or obese, and out of shape. It’s not just adults. Childhood obesity has tripled in the last three decades. Today, 17% of America’s children aged 2-19 are obese, and a whopping 60% of overweight kids aged 5-10 already have at least one major risk factor for heart disease. Regardless of age, most of those overweight and/or out of shape truly want to do something about it but struggle to succeed. They tend to get on an endless roller coaster ride while trying over and over again to make things better. It’s hard, discouraging, stressful and incredibly hurtful. Read more >>
NEWS
Safe and Supportive Schools: A New Kind of No Child Left Behind
By Mark Hyatt
CEP President and CEO
Having our office just a couple blocks north of the White House does have its advantages. Last week I was invited to a special meeting hosted by Vice President Biden’s staff as an advocate for young people. Our discussion centered around “gun violence and school safety”. It gave me the opportunity to advocate for
all of us who care about the safety of every child in America. The 13 other attendees represented various organizations that represented advocates for youth nationwide. Most advocated for the kids they focus on—I advocated for all young people. Read more >>
RESOURCES YOU CAN USE
Order a Free Copy of Hal Urban's 20 Gifts of Life
Hal Urban, the 2005 Sandy Award winner, frequent Forum speaker and long-time friend of CEP, has generously offered to donate copies of his new book – 20 GIFTS OF LIFE: BRINGING OUT THE BEST IN OUR KIDS, GRANDKIDS, AND OTHERS WE CARE ABOUT – to any school or individual willing to put them into the hands of teachers or parents who will read them with kids. Chapter 1 in the book is: "Good character is the foundation of a good life." You can see the book on his website: www.halurban.com. Please email Hal directly at halurban@halurban.com to let him know how many books you would like, in multiples of 56. These books come at no charge, but you will be asked to cover the shipping cost (roughly $50 per box of 56 books).”
Lesson Plans and Ideas for MLK Day
Jan. 21 is Martin Luther King, Jr Day and a national Day of Service. Honor Dr. King's life and tireless commitment to justice and positive social change with a service project or a topical lesson plan.
ADVOCACY
Updates from the Nation's Capital
CEP is committed to being your ears, eyes and voice regarding the latest character education news in our nation’s capital. Here is the latest from Washington:
• CEP’s President & CEO Mark Hyatt met last week with Vice Presidential aides and US Department of Education staff members, along with several other key stakeholders, as they sought to prevent violence in schools like December’s shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. The administration requested follow-up meetings, which resulted in a recommendation for $50 million in grant funding for developing safe and nurturing school climates!
Read more >>
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
11 Principles Training Comes to Louisiana
On
Feb. 5 and 6, Character Education Partnership and the LSU Ag Center 4-H
Youth Development Program are partnering in Louisiana to provide two
full days of training in a Leadership Institute on the 11 Principles of
Effective Character Education. Here you will find a multitude of
answers, ideas, and proven next steps for increased academic and social
success for your students. Learn more >>
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