What does a school require to become a Missouri School of Character? This school would have been better off letting Jackson go and keeping Mrs. Deane or Mr. Busch as the principal. She lacks leadership, has no idea how to facilitate communication or follow up on students who need extra help. If your child is a brainiac, Jackson will bend over backwards for you. But, if you have a low-average child or special needs child, she doesn't even want to hear your goals for your child. She is a great actress and is truly experenced in faking what she needs to. She struggles to remember names of students. Someone needs to observe her more often - I think actions speak louder than words in this case.

What RS for RS has learned about this process, is that it is a very extensive application process that can be compared to a college dissertation. There are workshops school staff can attend in learning insights into the process.

Here is a website with information about the workshopshttps://www.characterplus.org/page.asp?page=2550

"Location: Conference Room D • Cooperating School Districts • 1460 Craig Rd. • 63146 Directions to CSD

Presenters: •Judy Owens, National Site Visitor

Description: Learn how to become a State School of Character. Judy has reviewed dozens of applications from schools throughout the country in her role as site visitor for the National Schools of Character.
This workshop focuses on the Character Education Partnership (CEP) Eleven Principles application process, including:
•How to determine if your school is ready
•How to involve staff and students in gathering evidence
•How to organize your narrative
•How to correlate it with your portfolio
•How to communicate the most through your portfolio"

Ten Essentials of the CHARACTERplus Process

Thursday, October 11, 2012
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Lunch on your own

Location: Conference Room D • Cooperating School Districts • 1460 Craig Rd. • 63146 Directions to CSD

Presenter: Diane Stirling,
Professional Development Coordinator, CHARACTERplus

Description: Explore each component of the Ten Essentials that integrate character education into academic learning and the culture of a school and a district. This workshop combines direct teaching, interactive experiences, videos, and reflection. Participants experience consensus-building, integrated lessons, class meetings and service learning planning. Techniques demonstrated throughout the workshop translate to the classroom, staff meetings, student government and leadership, PTO, the school board and community alliances.

This workshop is one of three required for Basic Certification in Character Education. The other two are Character Development & Education with Dr. Marvin Berkowitz and Effective Methods with Diane Stirling.

The Ten Essentials (condensed)

Community consensus
Character education policy
Identified and defined traits
Integrated curriculum
Experiential learning
Evaluation
Adult role models
Professional development
Student leadership
Sustaining the program

REGISTRATION: Limit 40
CHARACTERplus Members: Free Click here to see if your district is a member:
Non-Members: $200

http://www.characterplus.org/page.asp?page=3873

CHARACTERplus has conducted the Missouri Schools of Character (SSOC)process since 2007, recognizing 44 schools and three districts.

The St. Louis Rams have generously sponsored this rigorous process since 2009, as an integral part of their commitment to youth, fitness and character development in our region. The process mirrors CEP's national procedure as each application is reviewed by two screeners. Each learning community was assessed on every aspect of the Eleven Principles of Character Education, from shared moral leadership to challenging academics that engage all learners to a truly caring school community. Those receiving a qualifying score receive an on-site evaluation from two site visitors. Schools that meet criteria are then forwarded on to CEP for national consideration.

Thanks, Eileen, for providing very thorough details about the Character program.