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Best Practice
Newsletter
Volume 9, Issue 3
April 2015
Inside this issue:
1
2015 MCCE@SU
2015 Maryland Center for Character Education
at Stevenson University Awards Conference
DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING
Maryland Center for Character Education
“School of the
Year” application &
Awards Ceremony
MCCE@SU Best
Practices for the
Month of April -
2
Mechanicsville
Elementary
At Stevenson University
2015 SCHOOL OF THE YEAR APPLICATIONS
JUNE 26, 2015
For More Information contact
Linda Muska at [email protected]
or visit our website at www.mdctrcharacter.org
Menu on the left, click on
“2015 School of the Year Application.”
MARK YOUR CALANDERS
MCCE@SU AWARDS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD
ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2015
AT STEVENSON UNIVERSITY
OWINGS MILLS CAMPUS, ROCKLAND CENTER
Check This Out
11
Volume 9, Issue 3
Page 2
Best Practice for the Month of April
Carroll County, Mechanicsville Elementary
http://www.mdctrcharacter.org/best%20practices.shtml
BEST CHARACTER EDUCATION PRACTICES
School:
Mechanicsville Elementary School
Address:
3838 Sykesville Road
Sykesville, MD 21784
Phone:
410-751-3510
Contact:
Steve Wernick, Principal
Email - [email protected]
Denise Preller, Character Ed. Contact
Email - [email protected]
Title of Best Practice: “Mechanicsville Elementary”
Objectives: Mechanicsville Elementary will actively teach, model, and reinforce appropriate
character education in order to create caring and respectful students and a positive learning
climate.
Primary Principles Emphasized: 1, 2, and 4
Brief Description
Mechanicsville Elementary School (MES), is constantly striving to promote a positive climate for learning
and reinforce character education throughout the building. Throughout the school year our school has
focused on promoting the core ethical values as the basis of good character, define “character”
comprehensively to include thinking, feeling, and doing, and create a caring school community.
In order to promote the core ethical values that are the basis of good character, our PBIS team is
essential. The team is led by their coach, Denise Preller, and team leaders, Nanci Buchman and Kirsten
Thurston. Their leaders attend trainings over the summer in order to train the staff appropriately in
creating a positive school climate. The school uses the acronym C.A.R.E., which stands for cooperation,
attitude, responsibility, and effort, to teach the targeted school-wide expectations. These expectations are
taught explicitly at the beginning of each school year to all students, as well as modeled, reinforced, and
revisited throughout the year. The expectations are taught by all teachers throughout the building to show
what CARE looks like in different settings. The expectations are also reviewed at pep rallies by the PBIS
team. These expectations can be found posted throughout the building on posters, within the school
handbook, and on the school’s website. This creates a common language throughout the building and the
students are able to recognize their importance in different areas. New staff members are taught these
expectations through faculty meetings and review sessions, and the expectations are review periodically
through SIT meetings and faculty meetings. When the PBIS team meets they are able to discuss targeted
areas that students may need reinforcements with to focus on in the classroom and through pep rally
skits.
Volume 9, Issue 3
Page 3
Best Practice for the Month of April
Continued — Mechanicsville Elementary School
Each month our school focuses on a specific character trait. The guidance counselor and classroom
teacher’s reinforce the trait throughout the month with morning announcements, read alouds of picture
books, and other resources. Students describe what the trait means to them, how others demonstrate
that character trait, and nominate their peers for monthly character stars, which are displayed on a
bulletin board in the hallway. Character stars also receive a prize and are recognized on the morning
announcements, as well as at the pep rallies.
MES defines “character” comprehensively to include thinking, feeling, and doing in a variety of ways.
The guidance counselor visits each classroom to explicitly teach the character education program at our
school. She uses a variety of texts, videos, and hands-on activities that engage the students in their
learning. The students also participate in skits to apply the different skills taught and model different
types of character. The guidance counselor also visits classrooms for class meetings. At these class
meetings, students share out any issues they may be having within or outside of the classroom,
nominate peers for bucket filling, and apply conflict resolution strategies that they have learned during
guidance. Students focus on study skills and reflect on how what they are learning can help in real-life
problems and situations. In addition, Humanities/ELA teachers reinforce the character traits taught
throughout the year within in their individual classrooms. This connects well to character traits within
read alouds or individual reading group books. Students are able to identify and describe a character’s
thoughts, feelings, and actions and how they relate to specific character traits.
Throughout the year, the MES PTA also sponsors cultural arts programs. These programs are selected
and paid for by the PTA. During these programs, which include musical performances, dance routines,
jump roping, and other various performances, students are exposed to real life situations where they
can appreciate different cultures and interests. In media at the beginning of each year, the media
teacher has students use different technologies to demonstrate their knowledge of CARE within different
settings. Students have created podcasts, videos, and puppet shows that have students defining,
explaining, and demonstrating CARE behavior expectations.
Throughout the building students are rewarded for showing CARE behavior by earning CARE tickets.
Tickets can be turned in to classroom teachers for rewards. These rewards include pencils, sit in a
special chair, write with a pen, and all sorts of small things that are motivating to students. Students
who are found not showing CARE behavior, earn a goal sheet. On their goal sheet they must write a
statement with a positive goal. For example, if a student was calling out, he/she would write, “I will raise
my hand and wait to be called on when I have something to share.” Students receive both oral and
physical (card) reminders before they are to write out a goal sheet. Goal sheets must be signed and
returned by a parent to help reinforce positive communication between home and school. Teachers
reinforce CARE throughout daily classroom routines. CARE tickets are also carbon copy, so one copy
is sent to the office. This is used for weekly grade level drawings. The winners are announced over the
morning announcements, have their picture taken and displayed in the lobby, earn a certificate, and are
also recognized at pep rallies. CARE tickets are also used for drawings for prizes at pep rallies put on
by the PBIS team. Students are called up and have the opportunity to choose prizes that have been
purchased by the MES PTA.
Volume 9, Issue 3
Page 4
Best Practice for the Month of April
Continued—Mechanicsville Elementary School
Students also earn “Mustang points” as a class. These points are awarded for displaying CARE
behavior as a class during specials, at lunch, and in the hallway. Classes earn one point for each letter
and can lose or earn additional points. Classes keep track of their points on a graph and when they
earn 200 points, they have filled the graph and earn a classroom reward. Classes compete with one
another at each grade level for a reward provided by the guidance counselor at the mid-year and end of
year. Class progress is monitored by teachers and displayed on two different bulletin boards in the
school (a track and a graph).
Mechanicsville constantly strives to create and reinforce a caring community. The school holds a
variety of events throughout the year for both parents and students. This includes a back-to-school ice
cream social, parent academy nights that are informational sessions about curriculum and practices,
multicultural nights (organized by PTA, Stevenson University interns, and ETM committee) that include
events exposing students to a variety of cultures, library nights (organized by media specialist), and
Mardi Gras (organized by the PTA), our school’s largest fundraiser. These events require participation
from all parts of the school body (teachers, students, staff members, parents, PTA, etc.), as well as
community support for donations. Staff can often be seen assisting in running these after school
events.
Our school also has a variety of before and afterschool clubs. Many of these clubs are run by staff
members from the school. The clubs appeal to a variety of interests and help build student involvement
and inclusion. There are two teachers who coach a Girls on the Run team and participate in a 5K twice
a year. The team also focuses on positive body image and building positive relationships. Many staff
members also assist with Battle of the Books. Teams of students meet before, during, and after school
to read and discuss a variety of books and then participate in a competition at the regional level. Other
staff members assist with the 24 Club, where students practice their math skills and compete at the
county level.
To promote positive relationships, our guidance counselor pulls different small groups throughout the
year. She holds social skills groups at each grade level, which focus on mentoring students to help
facilitate positive relationships with peers through stories, games, discussion, and other small group
activities. In addition she always available to students who may need additional counseling for issues
both in and outside of school. She often holds lunch bunch meetings with small groups of students who
may be having difficulties with peers. Many teachers also hold lunch bunch meetings to help build
positive relationships with their students. They celebrate students’ individualities through displaying
good work within the classroom and around the building. The guidance counselor holds class meetings
each year that focus on bullying, and the school takes part in the “Stomp Out Bullying” campaign.
During guidance, students engage in read alouds, skits, and videos that promote tolerance, conflict
resolution, and peer mediation. During pep rallies, staff and students model and reinforce appropriate
peer behavior related to bullying.
Volume 9, Issue 3
Page 5
Best Practice for the Month of April
Continued—Mechanicsville Elementary School
At Mechanicsville, our ETM committee is extremely involved in promoting a positive work environment.
They provide staff development through faculty meetings and web-based videos that help teach staff
about how to identify, address, and promote a positive climate among staff and students. They
celebrate differences among students throughout the year through displaying student responses to
different questions on a bulletin board. They also host multicultural nights which expose students to
different cultures from around the world. This year all staff members and students filled out a puzzle
piece about what made them unique. The pieces fit together to create one large puzzle display in the
front hallway.
Parent and community involvement is an integral part of MES. Each day you can find several parent
volunteers within the building. Parent volunteers also assist with running events such as Play Day, the
Ice Cream Social, and Mardi Gras. Parents are also encouraged to be an active participant in their
child’s education through parent teacher conferences, chaperoning on field trips, attending class picnics,
and visiting to observe student work/presentations. MES has also built great relationships within our
educational community. Each year we host college students from Stevenson University and/or
McDaniel college who are working towards different types of education degrees (physical education,
elementary education, and early childhood education). We have also hosted high school interns from
the Carroll County Career and Technology Center. This has helped foster growth and professional
relationships within our educational community.
To celebrate these positive relationships, MES does a great job of recognizing these different groups.
At each faculty meeting, staff members are awarded with parking spots, prizes, and certificates for
helping promote a positive, caring environment for students. Staff names are also drawn during each
pep rally and they are awarded with tokens of appreciation. The PTA also recognizes the staff yearly
with a staff luncheon, as well as other rewards throughout teacher appreciation week. In return, the
MES staff recognizes all of the volunteers during volunteer appreciation week with a day of treats.
As you can tell, Mechanicsville is a very warm and welcoming place to work. Staff and students always
strive to demonstrate CARE behavior.
Volume 9, Issue 3
Page 6
Best Practice for the Month of April
Continued—Mechanicsville Elementary School
MES MCCE Application Artifacts
MES bulletin board in lobby that recognizes weekly grade level CARE winners
MES bulletin board that recognizes CARE Students from Specials
Volume 9, Issue 3
Page 7
Best Practice for the Month of April
Continued—Mechanicsville Elementary School
MES bulletin board in cafeteria that shows class progress for filling up Mustang Graph
MES display in front hall that shows all students and staff puzzle pieces
Volume 9, Issue 3
Best Practice for the Month of April
Continued—Mechanicsville Elementary School
Classroom display of CARE tickets that students use to trade in for prizes
School-wide CARE Expectation Chart
Page 8
Volume 9, Issue 3
Best Practice for the Month of April
Continued—Mechanicsville Elementary School
5th Grade bulletin board recognizing monthly character stars
Display of character traits of the month and spirit days
Page 9
Volume 9, Issue 3
Best Practice for the Month of April
Continued—Mechanicsville Elementary School
Stomp Out Bullying campaign poster
Classroom display of student work
Page 10
Volume 9, Issue 3
Page 11
Check this out: Character.org offers an array of lesson plans designed by teachers.
Character.org offers an array of lesson plans designed by teachers like you. Go to:
www.character.org and click on menu at top “Lessons.”
Whether you teach Language Arts, Math, Music, Physical Education, or anything in between,
we have teacher-created lesson plans designed to fold into your curriculum – right now! These
plans, based on the 11 Principles of Effective Character Education, can really make a
difference in the classroom. We know, because teachers in our National Schools of Character
created them, used them, and shared them with you because they work.
View and print lessons to teach your students today, no matter the grade level or school type.
It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s valuable.
Goal Setting for Students!
How to set and achieve goals in the classroom.
Learn more about goal setting, responsibility, making better decisions, respect, determination,
and setting priorities.
Click here: http://goalsettingforstudents.com/
For Parents, Teachers:
A resource on the web for parents, teachers, homeschoolers, and anyone involved with
character education for children.
Check it out: http://www.teachingvalues.com/principlesummary.html
Page 12
Volume 9, Issue 3
Stevenson University
MD Center for Character
Education at Stevenson
Web!
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We’re
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www
School of Education
1525 Greenspring Valley Road
Stevenson, MD 21153-0641
Linda Muska,
Executive Coordinator
Phone: 352-728-8771
E-mail: [email protected]
April 1, 2015
April Fools’ Day
April 4, 2015
Passover Begins
April 22, 2015
Earth Day
&
Administrative Professional’s
Day
April 5, 2015
Easter
April 23, 2015
Take Our Daughters and Sons
to Work Day
April 24, 2015
Arbor Day
Get Outdoors and Enjoy Life!
“You see things and say “Why?” But I see things and say “Why Not?”
—G. B. Shaw