Character Education News & Updates: March 2018

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March 2018     

Character Education 

K-12 Standards Curriculum and Instruction 

ACADEMIC AND DIGITAL LEARNING

Character Matters

Character, Leadership & Service 

How is your school demonstrating Character, Leadership, and Service during the 2017-2018 school year? 


Share your examples by sending photos, videos, articles, websites, etc. to Justyn.Knox@dpi.nc.gov with a brief explanation of an activity or project that exemplifies good character. Selected exemplars will be placed on the Character Matters website.  To receive the Character Education Update please sign up here. Character Matters is now on Facebook.  To like and follow our page click here


UPDATE INCLUDES: 

SHARE YOUR STORIES  

  • Erwin Montessori School Celebrates Kindness 
  • Guilford County Schools Partners with Greensboro Police Department for Random Acts of Kindness
  • Middle School Kindness Challenge Sparks Kindness Movement Across Guilford County

OPPORTUNITIES and AWARDS   

  • Spring 2018 North Carolina Service Learning Un-conference and Regional Network Event 
  • National Consortium for Teaching about Asia Events
  • Featured Sessions at World View's Spring Seminars
  • NYLC Service Learning Conference  
  • CCES Conference: Don't Miss These Sessions 
  • Grant Opportunities 

INSTRUCTIONAL TOOLS & RESOURCES 

  • Pledge to Be Fearless and Kind for Global Youth Service Day 
  • Upcoming Service and Awareness Dates 
  • Podcast: How to Talk To Kids About Anything
  • Stay Connected with Character Matters 

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Erwin Montessori School Celebrates Kindness 


Erwin Montessori students and staff celebrated “Kindness Matters Week.”  Staff and students have been focusing on kindness each day with various activities.  


As a State School of Character and a National School of Character, Erwin feels it's important to focus on teaching children to show kindness. Each child was given a list of examples of kind acts they could perform.  Children were challenged to perform between 10-25 different acts. 


Click here to read more about the activities and see pictures from "Kindness Matters Week.' 


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Guilford County Schools Partners with Greensboro Police Department for Random Acts of Kindness

 

Guilford County Schools (GCS) Character Development Team and Counseling Services in partnership with The Greensboro Police Department (GPD) launched a program called Students Overcoming Situations (SOS) which is designed to teach children how to be safe, deal with conflict, and understand what it means to demonstrate self-respect as well as respect for others.

 

The ultimate goal of this program is to provide an additional resource to GCS in their efforts to develop young people who make good decisions, and care for those around them as they take responsibility for their own actions.

 

Click here to watch how police officers read the book, Officer Buckle and Gloria, a story about a police officer and his safety dog who teaches elementary students important safety tips.


Middle School Kindness Challenge Sparks Kindness Movement Across Guilford County

The Middle School Kindness Challenge that began in August 2017 has prompted Guilford County Schools to continue promoting and encouraging kindness at all grade levels throughout the district.


At the February 8th board meeting, the Guilford County Board of Education signed a proclamation that supports the district’s commitment to building a culture that illuminates social and emotional learning to ensure everyone feels welcome, secure and engaged. These schools were recognized: Allen Jay Preparatory Academy; The Academy at Lincoln and Allen, Brown Summit, Northwest, Jamestown, Hairston, Southeast, Northern and Swann Middle.


Click here to read more about Guilford County's commitment to Kindness.  


Spring 2018 North Carolina Service Learning Un-conference and Regional Network Event 

meet up



You're invited to the North Carolina Service-Learning Coalition's (NCSLC) Spring ‘Unconference’ and Regional Networking Events! These regional service-learning ‘meet-ups’ will be held in three locations around the state: Asheville, Raleigh, and Wilmington. What is an unconference, you ask? 


An unconference is a conference without predefined topics. The theme will be service-learning, but actual topics will be generated during the conference. This format creates space for peer-to-peer learning, collaboration and creativity.


Register here and indicate which regional event you are planning to attend. There is no fee to attend, but you must register. Registration closes April 9th. 


Check the website for updates. 


National Consortium for Teaching about Asia Events


April 18 (Wed.), 2018

7:00 - 8:00 p.m. (EST)

On-line Book Group of My Half of the Sky 

Author Jana McBurney-Lin will discuss her themes, what led her to write the book (background/writing history) and will follow-up by reading various passages. The book is a story of a contemporary young Chinese woman who is trying to be modern but the traditions of her village keep pulling her back.  The story received numerous awards, including Forbes Book Club Pick, Booksense Pick of the Month, and Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year.  Register at http://people.uncw.edu/kanoy/nctan


The the complimentary book will be given to the first 30 educators, who will participate in the April 18 book club.  The book should be picked up at the above film viewing session on March 21 or at the World View Conference at the Friday Center on March 22.

 

NCTAN is one of the sponsors of the World View conference: East Asia: Traditions, Trends, and Transformations on March 21-22.  


More information at http://worldview.unc.edu/2018-east-asia-seminar/

 

More program at http://nctasia.org/


Featured Sessions at World View's Spring Seminars

BUILDING STRONGER BRIDGES

Register Here

 

Making It Better (K-12)

Deb Kaclik, Director of Social Emotional Learning and Behavior Support

John Concelman, Bullying Prevention Specialist

Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools


Utilizing the Arts to Engage Students in Conversations of Equity (6-12 and CC)

Daniel Kelvin Bullock, Executive Director for Equity Affairs, Durham Public Schools


Engaging in Culturally Responsive Classroom Practice (6-12 and CC)

Sharbari Dey, Assistant Director, Education and Special Initiatives, University Office for Diversity and Inclusion, UNC-Chapel Hill


Beyond Windows and Mirrors: Developing Equitable Literacy Experiences that Empower Youth (K-12 and CC)

Kathryn Cole, School Librarian, Northside Elementary School, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools

Julie Stivers, Teacher Librarian, Mount Vernon Middle, Wake County Public School System


Faith Practices in Schools with a Spotlight on Muslims and Islam (K-12 and CC)

Tarra Ellis, Assistant Professor and Social Studies Program Coordinator, Thayer School of Education, Wingate University

Zaynab Martin, Educator


Click here for more information. 

 


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NYLC Service Learning Conference 

 

Each year the National Service-Learning Conference brings together more than 700 educators, administrators, higher-education faculty, non-profit leaders, government officials, AmeriCorps members, and students from across the nation and around the world for three days of learning, connection, and inspiration. This year, the National Service-Learning Conference’s theme is Justice in Action. 

 

The conference provides more than 100 hands-on learning opportunities through workshops, keynote and thought leader sessions. Topics range from social-emotional learning and civic education to youth leadership and international service-learning. Youth of all ages are welcome at the event (with an adult mentor). 


Click Here For Registration


Connecting Communities of Education Stakeholders Conference: Don't Miss These Sessions! 

Do you plan to attend the CCES Conference

If so, plan to attend the Spotlight Session on State and National Schools of Character and Student Led Session 

Wednesday, March 14, 2017
3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Grandover West

This spotlight session features North Carolina schools that have demonstrated excellence in character development based on Character.org’s 11 Principles of Effective Education for 2017.  This is a very rigorous process by which schools are evaluated based on evidence comprised of both academic achievement and school climate and culture data.  Through this school improvement process, they are shining examples of schools that are committed to not just academic success, but social emotional learning and citizenship as well.  


Student-Led Poster Sessions

Monday, March 12, 2018

Innovation and Student Led Initiatives to Transform Lives

In this interactive session, student ambassadors will share best practices implemented to promote academic success, character and leadership development and social-emotional well-being among their peers. (Rocky Mt. Prep)


Leveraging Student Organizations to Drive CTE Programs

This session will present a student’s perspective on how their involvement in a Career and Technical Student Organization increased their employability, confidence and networking skills. (Lee County High) 


Empowering Future Health Professionals through Innovation

Through an interactive presentation, with a multitude of perspectives and small, insightful activities, this session will aim to create a meaningful dialogue and help incite change in how the relationship between health science education standards and college and career readiness in the North Carolina Public School System are interdependent. (William G. Enloe Magnet High)

 

Student-Led Concurrent Sessions

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Experiential Learning: Real World Skills

This will be a four-part presentation in which students will share about each of the four main jobs they complete on a daily basis that contribute to the effective functioning of our school. (Northwood High)


Leveraging CTSOs to Enhance Student Engagement

The session will show how Career and Technical Student Organizations provide a platform to enhance the Student/Teacher, Community/School, and Workforce/School relationships.  (Middle Creek High)


Liberty Elementary Service Club

The Liberty Elementary Service club will be presenting how a team of 4th and 5th graders have teamed up with local organizations to complete projects to help with hunger relief. (Liberty Elementary)


Learning Without Limits: How Service-Learning Makes Students Successful

The purpose of this session is to show how service-learning can impact students' success. (New Hanover High)


Integrate, Educate, Elevate: A Story of a Divided Charlotte

The session will address the issues of school segregation and economic inequality and show why they are so important to solve in terms of education and more generally. (Charlotte Latin School)


Genius Hour Symposium: Sixth Graders' Inquiry

Students will conduct a Genius Hour Symposium-like presentation for 45 minutes.  (The Exploris School)


Don't Miss This

 

 

Grant Opportunities 

  • Environmental Education (EE) Grants Deadline: March 15 The EPA is making available up to $3 million in funding for locally-focused environmental education grants under the 2018 EE Local Grant Program. Ten RFPs are being issued nationally, one in each of EPA’s ten Regions, for a total funding of up to $3 million nationwide. EPA anticipates awarding three to four grants in each EPA Region, for no less than $50,000 and no more than $100,000 each, for a total of 30-35 grants nationwide.
  • The Barron Prize honors young leaders ages 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive impact on people, their communities, and the environment. Winners receive $10,000 to support their service work or higher education. The deadline to apply is April 15.   


  • Grants for Youth Activism and Social Change Resist funds one-year General Support Grants to small organizations to support initiatives that promote social change, particularly on issues related to social, economic, and environmental justice. Accessibility Grants are also broadly available to help people with disabilities participate in an activity or event. Multiyear Grants are limited to current grantees who have been funded at least twice in the previous five years. Rapid Response Grants are provided to groups, including first-time applicants, for unexpected events of a political nature that require an immediate response. Eligible organizations must have qualified nonprofit status, be a federally recognized American Indian tribal government or agency, or be sponsored by a qualified group; have an annual operating budget of less than $150,000; and be based in the United States. $1,000 for Rapid Response Grants and up to $4,000 for General Support, Accessibility, and Multiyear Grants. Deadline: 2018 grant applications are due March 3, June 2, September 8, and December 7.


  • Teaching Tolerance Educator Grants Teaching Tolerance aims to reduce prejudice, improve intergroup relations, and promote equitable school experiences for children and teens by supporting educators who embrace and instill antibias principles. Teaching Tolerance Educator Grants fund school- and classroom-level projects that promote affirming school climates and educate young people to thrive in a diverse democracy. Schoolwide Grants support leadership teams in implementing initiatives that improve school climate, reduce hate, support culturally responsive practices, and implement antibias curricula. Classroom Grants support programming resources that promote empathy and kindness, positive identity development, perspective taking, critical thinking about injustice, and collective action. Eligible organizations must be US-based K-12 educators working in public or private schools, alternative schools, therapeutic schools, or juvenile justice facilities. Awards range from $500 to $10,000.  Applications are accepted year-round.

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Pledge to Be Fearless Be Kind for GYSD

April 20-22

348,125 people have already pledged to be fearless and kind, by standing up for others, being inclusive, and making a difference. 


If your youth group, classroom, or organization didn't pledge during the Kindness Rising campaign last fall, now's the time to join the kindness movement. Use the pledge to get kids thinking about how they can BE FEARLESS BE KIND during Global Youth 

Service Day on April 20-22.


Download and print the pledge forms for youth under age 8 and ages 8 and up, and use the following questions to prompt writing, art, and/or discussion activities:

  • What does being fearless mean to you?
  • How are you kind to others? How are others kind to you?
  • Do you see other kids being left out or bullied? How can you include them in activities you enjoy?
  • Who do you see in your neighborhood or school who needs your help? What problems do you think need fixing?
  • How can you make a difference?

Be sure to enter your pledges online and share on social media using #BeFearlessBeKind and #GYSD.


Then, browse the #LeadASAP Idea Center to choose a project to put your pledge into action for Global Youth Service Day. Find how you can use sports, music & art, reading & learning, animals & nature, or technology & science to make a difference in health & wellbeing, the environment, poverty & hunger, and education & equality.


Pledge to BE FEARLESS BE KIND for GYSD at www.GYSD.org/pledge


Podcast: How to Talk To Kids About Anything


Dr. Robyn Silverman's How to Talk to Kids About Anything podcast series features Michele Borba, author of End Peer Cruelty, Build Empathy, and her 6Rs of bullying prevention: Rules, Recognize, Report, Respond, Refuse, and Replace. She provides tips and scripts so teachers and parents can help their kids change the cultures of both their schools and their communities.

 

 

Listen to the Podcast


Upcoming Service & Awareness Events

Save the Date and Plan Ahead

  • Good Deeds Day (Apr. 15)
  • National Volunteer Week (Apr. 15-21)
  • Global Youth Service Day (Apr. 20-22)

Stay Connected with Character Matters

Connect with Us on Facebook 


Connect with us on Remind.com or text @gedg98 to 81010