Norwalk School Named State 'School Of Character'

NORWALK, CT – Norwalk Public Schools announced Monday that Character.org, a national advocate and leader for character education, has named Tracey Elementary School as a 2019 Connecticut School of Character. The program recognized Tracey as a school that has demonstrated its use of character development to drive a positive impact on academics, student behavior and Tracey’s school climate.

According to a press release, Tracey integrates character education into all aspects of the school environment. Each day, the more than 400 K-5 students at Tracey are challenged to leave their "P.R.I.N.T" on the world by living the core values embedded in the Tracey pledge: Problem solving, Respect, Integrity, being Neighborly and Taking Responsibility.

The school’s character education program has significantly enhanced the climate of the school and supported academic growth and achievement. (To sign up for Norwalk breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

The rigorous Schools of Character application process is an opportunity for schools and districts to receive thoughtful feedback for growth and excellence in the area of character development through Character.org’s 11 Principles of Character framework. It is also a method of recognizing exemplary schools and districts in the nation.

Since its inception, Character.org has recognized more than 565 schools with the distinction of State School of Character. Criteria for the designation are based on Character.org’s 11 Principles of Effective Character Education, which includes providing students with opportunities for moral action, fostering shared leadership and engaging families and communities as partners in character-building efforts.

"Utilizing components of character education is a large part of our student and staff’s daily routines," Tracey Elementary Principal Theresa Rangel said in a release. "We are grateful to Character.org for their efforts to create a state and national discussion on the importance of character in education. We’re eager to carry this distinction for years to come and are hopeful our example will lead other schools in Connecticut to participate in this program in order to enhance student’s lives statewide."

Contributed press release.

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