Essential Character - August 2012

August 2012

In this Back to School Issue - “Ideas to Start the Year Right”

Apply to be a 2013 National School of Character
Back to school ideas from NSOC
President's Column
National Forum--"Developing Leaders of Integrity"
Sign up for CEP's August webinars
Federal focus on school climate reform
Promising Practices
Calendar & recommended blogs

Apply to be a 2013
National School of Character

Back to School Ideas from 2012 National Schools of Character
Take inspiration for your programs for this year from the ideas below. Sue Grogan, principal of Shades Cahaba ES shares a letter that she sends out in her back-to-school newsletter highlighting the school's focus on character, while Raquel Castrodad, Academic Director of Colegio Radians, Inc. discusses how educators can turn virtue into a lifestyle.

Life is a Gift: Bringing Joy to Character Education
By Sue Grogan
Principal, Shades Cahaba ES (2012 NSOC)

Welcome back to school for the 2012-2013 school year! Shades Cahaba Elementary School is known for our character education program. One of the unique things about our program is the sixth tenet of The Shades Cahaba Way, our list of school rules. “Have fun…..life is a gift.” Read more >>

On Your Marks … Get Set! …
By Raquel Castrodad, Ed.D
Academic Director, Colegio Radians, Inc (2012 NSOC) and Master Facilitator, Virtues Project ™

What can a school do to develop and maintain a culture of peace and unity? Where to begin?

When we think about the changes in information acquisition and human consumption in this rapidly changing world, we need to ask ourselves, “What can we do to develop the leaders of the future (our children)?” Read more >>

Will You Join the National Call to Character?
By Mark Hyatt
President & CEO

The timing could hardly be more ironic and sad. Less than a week after our nation had been shaken by yet another mass shooting in Aurora, CO, “Rachel’s Challenge” announced that it was postponing its scheduled summer conference in nearby
Littleton, CO.

The reason? Not enough people had registered.

Yes, this summer, the national nonprofit dedicated to promoting kindness and compassion in schools, in memory of Rachel Joy Scott, the first of the 13 people killed in the 1999 Columbine High School shooting could not find an audience in Colorado. Read more >>

National Forum on Character Education: "Developing Leaders of Integrity"
Nov. 1 - 4, 2012 in Washington, D.C.
Register by the end of August to be entered into a raffle to win a $150 gift certificate to Ruth's Chris Steak House or a $200 dinner for two at local restaurant Zaytina.

The registration deadline for the Forum is fast approaching. This year’s Forum, held on the eve of the 2012 presidential election offers a valuable opportunity to reflect on the meaning of quality leadership on all levels.

Pre-conference opportunities include an educators’ tour of Mount Vernon. This half-day tour of George Washington’s home will transcend conventional tourist-oriented visits, with a focus on Washington’s status as a model of leadership and integrity.

It is only one of numerous unique pre-conference events designed to expose Forum attendees to innovative ideas to integrate into their character education programs. Learn more about the 2012 Forum >>

Webinar Series
Don’t miss the concrete resources presented in CEP’s upcoming webinars. For a limited time only, signing up for four webinars entitles you to one free. Register today.

Aug 16-“Living the Promise of Your Core Values,” led by Dara Feldman, Director of Education, The Virtues Project

Aug 30-”Student Goal Setting for Academic and Character Growth: A Service Learning Project Idea,” led by David B. Wangaard, Ed.D., Executive Director, The School for Ethical Education

E-mail Barbara Luther at bluther@character.org or visit our website for more information.

Federal Focus on School Climate Reform

As the leading national organization for character education in the country, CEP wants to be your voice when it comes to governmental initiatives that affect our field. To that end, we’ve joined the Conditions for Learning Coalition, headed by Jon Terry at Capitol Youth Strategies. Here’s the latest from Washington. Read more >>

Promising Practices to Jumpstart Your Character Education Program
By Lisa Greeves
It’s hard to believe that it’s time to prepare for a new school year! August and September are ideal months to jumpstart your character education program.

Check out some of these 2011 Promising Practices perfect for the new school year. Read more >>

Calendar Items

Aug 7-8
School-Connect Institute, Bethesda, MD (next to Washington D.C.) Learn from School-Connect author Kathy Beland how to boost students’ (Grades 9 -12) social, emotional, and academic skills. Learn more >>

Aug 16
CEP Webinar: Living the Promise of Your Core Values
3 30p.m. ET; Price: $49 Learn more >>
Presenter: Dara Feldman, Director of Education, The Virtues Project

Aug 30
CEP Webinar: Student Goal Setting for Academic and Character Growth: A Service Learning Project Idea
3-30p.m. ET; Price: $49 Learn more >>
Presenter: David B. Wangaard, Ed.D., Exec. Dir., The School for Ethical Education

Sept 5-6
EduWiki Conference 2012. A day-and-a-half conference looking at Wikipedia, Wikiversity and related charitable projects, not in terms of educational resources, but educational practice, including collaboration, open review, and global participation. It’s a chance to talk about innovative work in your classroom, your institution or online community, and shape the future of Wikimedia UK’s work in this area. We will explore the ways these projects can support innovative education. Learn more >>

Recommended Blogs

From CEP
Empathy in Action
Posted by Marilyn Perlyn

From Voxxi
How to Build a Stronger Sense of Community in the Classroom
Posted by Cammy Harbison

From Edutopia
Discipline and School Spirit
Posted by Maurice Elias

Social and Emotional Learning Curriculum: Sharing Your Gift
Posted by Randy Taran

For more fresh ideas for starting the school year, check out our website for the latest resources and updates and become one of our growing number of followers on Facebook.