|
Stellar character education programs including
Book Buddies, Principal's Partners, Knitting Club, Recorder Tutors,
and Family Night gatherings have earned Westwood Elementary a
spot as a National Finalist in the Character Education Partnership
(CEP)'s National Schools of Character (NSOC) awards program.
CEP, the nation's leading advocate
for quality character education initiatives, chose 25
finalists from 149 applicants from across the United States.
CEP is conducting site visits to all finalists throughout
the end of April. A team of evaluators will visit Westwood on
Friday, April 4, 2008. CEP's Blue Ribbon Panel will then meet
to select 10 winners in late May.
|
 |
|
"Being chosen as a finalist in the National
Schools of Character competition is a remarkable achievement,"
CEP Executive Director Joe Mazzola said. "I applaud each
school and district's commitment to positive youth development."
Finalists have undergone a rigorous application
process that demonstrates their work with the ethical, social,
and academic growth of their students through effective character
education. Westwood's commitment to building character in tomorrow's
leaders goes hand-in-hand with its strong emphasis on academic
achievement for all learners. Its vision to dynamically
shape hearts and minds for the future is integrated into
everything they do. Couple that with Westwood's volunteerism
and community support and it's a formula for success.
Should Westwood be selected as a National School of Character,
it will receive the award, national recognition, and a grant
of $20,000 at CEP's 15th National Forum on Character Education,
Character is Destiny, to be held October 2008 in Arlington,
Virginia. Winners use their grants to serve as national leaders
and models for other schools and districts seeking to improve
their character education efforts.
For ten years, the NSOC awards program has
recognized K-12 schools and districts that provide exemplary
character education programs that yield positive results in student
behavior, citizenship, school climate, and academic performance.
CEP, based in Washington, D.C., is a nonprofit, nonpartisan,
nonsectarian coalition of organizations and individuals dedicated
to developing young people of good character who become responsible
and caring citizens.
|
