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CHARACTER COUNTS! is preparing for a second round of mini-grants to encourage Martin County schools to enrich their character education programs.

The recipients of this year’s mini-grants -- totaling about $10,000 -- will be announced during National Character Counts Week, which begins Oct. 19.

Meanwhile, CHARACTER COUNTS! has released the results of the 16 mini-grants awarded last year, which totaled $13,770. Grants were offered to schools and their staff to implement character-based projects that would enhance or expand their current CHARACTER COUNTS! program. 

Among the highlights from the projects’ year-end evaluations:

Warfield Elementary -- Be Cool Conflict Management: The purpose of this project was to teach children specific techniques to promote self-control and interrupt the tendency to impulsively act out. Working with CHARACTER COUNTS! books, a teacher discussed how each of the Six Pillars of Character applied to students’ daily lives. The school experienced a 45% decrease in discipline referrals from 2006-07.

J.D. Parker Elementary -- Public Pillars (mural): Fifth-grade students created a mural that illustrates the Six Pillars of Character and what dreams can be realized by following the pillars in their everyday lives. Students learned to work as a team, improved their research and artistic skills, and created a lasting piece of art illustrating the Six Pillars of Character upon which students, staff and visitors can reflect.

J.D. Parker Elementary -- Peacemaking Skills for Little Children: This program provided concrete and effective ways to teach children and teachers how to handle conflicts. There was a 50% reduction in the number of minor and major referrals between pre- and post-program implementation.

Murray Middle -- Tree of Compassion: Students received a leaf on the “Tree of Compassion” for demonstrating good character. Students learned compassion and good citizenship through special activities on Veteran’s Day, for residents at the Salerno Bay Manor, and through recognition for exhibiting good character throughout the school year.

Palm City Elementary -- Reader’s Theater: This project improved reading fluency and comprehension of low-level students and promoted CHARACTER COUNTS! school-wide. All participating students improved at least one grade level in reading comprehension. There was a 10% decrease in discipline incidents from 2006-07.

Jensen Beach High/J.D. Parker Elementary -- “My Life as a Furry Red Monster”: Students, staff and families at Jensen Beach High and J.D. Parker Elementary schools worked to bring Kevin Clash, author of “My Life as a Furry Red Monster,” to Martin County. Books and activities for this project integrated character education and mentoring into the schools’ literacy programs.

Pinewood Elementary -- Hooked on Character –  A weekly TV puppet program called “Peer Factor” presented real-life getting-along situations and gave tips to students on how to get “Hooked on Character.”  Discipline referrals at the end of the 2007–08 school year decreased by 5% from 2006–07.

Among the other projects:

• Felix A Williams Elementary conducted R-E-S-P-E-C-T (bully prevention program).

• Crystal Lake Elementary infused CHARACTER COUNTS! visuals (the Six Pillars of Character) into the school environment

• Dr. David L Anderson Middle -- CHARACTER COUNTS! in Action enabled students to create videos on good character that were aired and discussed school-wide. 

• Hobe Sound Elementary’s Reader’s Theater integrated the school’s literacy program into CHARACTER COUNTS! through the use of character-based books, CDs and videos.

• Indiantown Middle School integrated the Six Pillars of Character into a schoolwide bully prevention program.

• J D Parker School of Science, Math & Technology presented “Bibliotherapy” -- addressing bullying through the use of children’s books.

• Warfield Elementary implemented a conscious discipline program in kindergarten to foster learning and build character for staff and students.

• Port Salerno Elementary conducted a first-grade team project integrating character education into the school community.

ABOUT CHARACTER COUNTS!

CHARACTER COUNTS!, a program of United Way of Martin County, provides character-building activities and projects in schools and civic organizations. CC! presents motivational business seminars and works to increase public awareness of the importance of core ethical values.

For more information regarding CHARACTER COUNTS!, please visit www.charactercounts.net or call (772) 283-4800, ext. 234.