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Being Nice Pays Off: State Honors Vets Elementary For Character Education
By Keith Hagarty
Proving that character can be a rewarding experience and prized quality, the New Jersey Department of Education recently named Veteran's Elementary School as one of the top 10 "Schools of Character" in the state.
Recipients were selected based on the school's attention and commitment to social and character development, said state Education Commissioner Lucille E. Davy.
"These schools are committed to perpetuating school climates that support teaching and learning and positive relationships among teachers, students, parents and the community," said Davy. "Their approaches will be shared throughout New Jersey as we continue to develop knowledgeable, responsible and caring students with the necessary skills to be productive, competent citizens in a democratic society and global economy."
In December, the school applied for a national grant pertaining to character education and development. During the application review process, it didn't take long for the New Jersey Department of Education and a blue ribbon panel to name Brick's elementary school as one of the top recipients in the state.
From the start of the process, the school administration had a really good feeling Veteran's Elementary School would be named one of the top schools, said Assistant Principal Jennifer Whitner, who also serves as chairman of the school's grant committee.
"It's infused in everything we do here, from our curriculum to behavior- everything," Whitner said of the school's character education and development program. "I knew we had a really good chance of getting this award. I just felt it."
As assistant VP for two years, Whitner said she immediately knew the school was special from day one, and fully embraced the student character initiatives right from the get-go.
"The school implements character education in many aspects," said Whitner, "whether it's through our consciousness of the environment- re-use and recycle- through our Reading Buddies program and through our literacy initiatives."
One such initiative is the school's "Dear Gabby" program. Based on the premise of the classic "Dear Abby" advice column, each student in each grade level- from first to fifth- is encouraged to write words of advice for peers in a comprehensive, thought-provoking manner.
"It infuses all the character education traits where the kids are giving advice," she said. "For instance, let's say this month was 'responsibility', they would have two topics about it to write on, giving advice to other students such as why you should be responsible on the bus, or whatever the (writing) prompt was, such as why you should wear your seatbelt on the bus. Whatever it is, they write about it."
The writing prompts for the "Dear Gabby" pieces come from accumulated data gathered by the school determining some of the more pressing behavioral issues schools face. Like most elementary schools, Whitner said more often than not, most student behavioral problems usually come either on the school bus, cafeteria or recess.
To further expand the character development writing program, the school brings bus drivers and cafeteria workers into the fold to speak with students about some of the outstanding issues and personal character dilemmas.
"That helped where they (bus drivers and cafeteria staff) could carry it on in the cafeteria and buses and use the same kind of language we use," said Whitner.
Incorporating the school's transportation and cafeteria staff into the children's curriculum seemed like a wonderful idea for Whitner, who called the initiative a collaborative apand proach involving the cooperation of everyone in the school.
The feedback the administrators have gotten from the bus drivers and cafeteria workers has been resoundingly positive, said Whitner.
"They really love it," she said. "They feel like they're more a part of our school. Rather than just being our drivers, or being in the cafeteria, it's more of a community approach now."
To further promote good behavior and sound choices, students are observed by drivers and cafeteria staff, with those kids demonstrating good, courteous behavior being rewarded with their names going into a box, which is then used for a weekly raffle. With the assistance of the school's Parent Teacher Association (PTA), some of the prizes have included gift certificates from local restaurants and retail outlets, as well as school supplies and various fun items.
"The more times obviously you get your name in the box, the better chance you have of winning," said Whitner.
Saying their contributions have been invaluable, Whitner praised the school's staff, Principal Dr. Alyce Anderson, and singled out her fellow members on the school's grant committee- Gail Hascha, Pat Lindahl, Karen Szeliga, Gail Damiano, Diane Balog, Monica Gonzalez- for their great work and tireless dedication.
"I'm just really so proud of our staff," said Whitner. "I can't say enough nice things about them. They are just awesome."
In June, Whitner, Anderson and some committee members will be traveling to Rutgers University for a presentation ceremony to receive the state honors and certificate of recognition.
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