<< back to Values

CHARACTER EDUCATION IN NORTHFIELD: PARENTS & TEACHERS WORK TOGETHER
By Debbie Morton, Member of Northfield’s Character Education Committee

Respect, responsibility, fortitude, compassion, and cooperation are our virtues at Sunset Ridge District 29 in Northfield.  The character education program, begun in 1999, is based on the belief that parents are their children's primary teachers in becoming ethical, responsible, contributing members of society--but that the entire school community needs to support that effort. Our program supports the district's philosophy of parents, teachers and students working together to educate the whole child by helping children develop the right habits that ensure good character.

How we began

The character education program first began with a parent committee to study learning differences and gender issues, led by Georgia Bozeday, assistant superintendent and director of special services. The issue of values and behavior kept surfacing and we discussed the need for a character education program. The district hired Karen Bohlin, from the Center for the Advancement of Ethics and Character at Boston University, to lead a teacher and parent workshop, which launched the Character Education Committee.

Surveys of parents and teachers revealed that a large majority wanted the schools to be more involved in teaching character education and providing parenting information on building character. Both parents and teachers identified the same virtues of respect, responsibility, fortitude, compassion and cooperation as the underlying theme of our program. The five core components of the program were established, including:

·        Relationships and school climate

·        Parent involvement and awareness

·        Direct instruction

·        Special activities and service projects

·        Curriculum integration.

Teachers developed projects for direct instruction, curriculum integration and service learning projects. The parents' committee met monthly to discuss objectives and provide grade-level based parent-to-parent meetings, led by Marti von Kluck, school social worker.  Karen Bohlin returned to observe the program  and to participate in teacher and parent workshops. Deborah Farmer, assistant headmaster and character education coordinator of the Ben Franklin Charter School in Boston and an associate with the Center for the Advancement of Ethics and Character at Boston University,  helped us clarify the parental role and also  guided teachers in evaluating the program. Parents publish a newsletter, Connections, and sponsor programs, such as "Helping Your Child Make Responsible Choices in Today's Media-Driven Society".

What's happening now

Every month, in both the elementary and junior high schools, a different virtue is highlighted and discussed, through direct instruction, class meetings or both. For example, in February the virtue was "respect."  Both schools focused on teaching ways to respect differences and to not prejudge others.  They also helped students determine similarities and differences with friends or classmates.

The first graders read Don't Laugh At Me, a picture book that describes children of various visual differences, including physical disabilities, but who share hopes and dreams and a common plea: "Don't laugh at me". They discussed ways in which all the children are alike and ways in which they are all different. They emphasized that having differences makes life special and more interesting, but that all people have similar feelings, hopes, etc.    Seventh graders watched "The Fat City: How Difficult Can This Be?" a video about learning disabilities. Then each student researched a topic, from autism to dyslexia, which was shared with classmates. Many were surprised to learn that everyone learns differently!

The parent committee continues to identify "hot topics."  For example, bullying was examined through the five identified virtues listed above. Trevor Romain, author of  children's books, including Bullies are a Pain in the Brain and Cliques, Phonies, & Other Baloney, spoke to students and parents and conducted an institute day for teachers.

What's next?

The challenge will always be to continue to evaluate the program and to make necessary changes as we see trends emerging. But the goal remains firm to build character education in District 29.