Chas: Neal, Stone named 2013 Maryland School of Ch

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Neal, Stone named 2013 Maryland School of Character award winners

Two Charles County Public Schools – Mary B. Neal Elementary School and Thomas Stone High School – were recently named 2013 Maryland School of Character award recipients by the Maryland Center for Character Education (MCCE) at Stevenson University. Both Neal and Stone are now eligible for consideration in the National Schools of Character program, sponsored by the Character Education Partnership. Schools are selected for the state award based on their demonstration of the Character Education Partnership's 11 principles of Effective Character Education. The principles focus on the promotion of ethical values and a caring school community, fostering students' self-motivation, and engaging school staff to help with character-building efforts. Both schools have previously been honored for their character education initiatives. Neal was chosen as a Promising Practices in Character Education 2010 National award winner. As part of the National Schools of Character awards program, the Character Education Partnership gives Promising Practices awards to schools for implementing unique and specific strategies in character education. Stone was named a 2012 School of the Year and received a School of Character honorable mention award in 2011. In 2010, the MCCE honored Stone with an Emerging School of Character award and in 2009, Stone also received the Maryland School of Character award. There are several character education initiatives in place at both Neal and Stone. Neal has a partnership with Andrews Air Force Base in which military members visit the school once a week to mentor students. The school coordinates community service-oriented projects such as annual food drives and a 5K race to support the Southern Maryland Food Bank. The Maryland State Department of Education has recognized Neal for the past four years for their food drive efforts. Additionally, Neal launched an initiative called "30 rock" three years ago in which students in grades second through fifth can participate in a variety of clubs. The school has formed more than 30 clubs and each Friday for 30 minutes, students can participate in the club of their choice. Club examples range from cheerleading, creative writing and art, to drawing, world drumming and sign language. Character education has been a strong focal point at Neal since the school opened in 2008. Stone launched their character education program at the school in 2007 and has several initiatives in place. School staff implemented the use of banner words to demonstrate school pride and focus on one word each month to highlight. The banner words include self-control, responsibility, respect, gratitude, caring, perseverance, unity, integrity, service and citizenship. Through the words, the school promotes core ethical and performance values among students and staff. During October, respect was the banner word to correlate with bullying prevention month, and in December, caring was the highlighted word. To highlight caring, the school held a doorway decorating contest for students and staff. Stone also adopted Capturing Kids Hearts in 2009, a program that focuses on teaching students how to model positive behavior, develop self-management skills and learn structure for conflict management. As part of the program, students sign social contracts with their teachers and teachers use this process to introduce character education principles in their lessons. Additionally, Stone hosts several school and community involvement activities for students such as their fall festival, Green School initiatives and recycling programs. Both schools will be recognized in the fall for their character education programs by the MCCE. The Maryland Schools of Character awards program is sponsored collaboratively through the MCCE, the Character Education Partnership and the Maryland State Department of Education. For more information on character education, visit http://www.mdctrcharacter.org/.Charles County Public Schools provides 26,700 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 35 caring community schools that offer a technological advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

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