Camden County Tech in Gloucester Township Named a School of Character

Both campuses of the Camden County Technical Schools received high praise on Thursday.

The Gloucester Township Campus of Camden County Technical Schools has been named a New Jersey School of Character by character.org, a national advocate and leader for the character education movement, in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Education.

It will maintain that status for the next three years.

“Camden County Technical School has been recognized for their achievements,” Camden County Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to CCTS, said. “The school has demonstrated its use of character development to drive a positive impact on academics, student behavior and the overall learning climate.”

The Schools of Character application process provides a chance for schools and districts to receive feedback for growth and excellence in the area of character development through Character.org’s 11 Principles of Effective Character Education framework.

It is also a method of recognizing exemplary schools and districts nationally.

The two high schools that comprise Camden County Technical Schools (CCTS) provide career training programs, academic courses, and extracurricular activities to students in grades nine through twelve. The Gloucester Township Campus is located on Berlin Cross Keys Road in Sicklerville, New Jersey. The Pennsauken Campus is located on Browning Road in Pennsauken, New Jersey. As a public high school, there is no charge for high school students who live in Camden County to attend and transportation is provided by local school districts.

“I was very excited to hear that the Gloucester Township Campus of Camden County Technical Schools (CCTS) is being recognized as a 2015 New Jersey School of Character,” Principal Bonnie Durante said.

“This prestigious award is only provided to the top schools in New Jersey, and we are now being considered for the 2015 National School of Character Award. At CCTS, we are passionate about the development of our students’ ethical character. Building a school of character has been a true team effort,” said John Hourani, Ed.D., assistant principal, who chairs the Character Education Committee at CCTS.

“Our dedicated teachers, counselors, administrators and staff initiate and participate in many character education initiatives including: character education lessons, character education assemblies, service learning projects, citizenship recognition, and multiple character education clubs and committees. At CCTS we believe that success begins with character. Most, if not all, of our character education centers upon our core values of Integrity, Perseverance, Innovation, Citizenship, and Respect.”

The Pennsuaken Campus was recognized with the same designation in 2013. It has one more year as a School of Character, after which it must re-apply.

“As we prepare students for careers and college, we know the importance of character education for our students,” said Patricia Fitzgerald, superintendent. “Employers seek candidates with a positive attitude and a strong work ethic in addition to the ability to do the job.” “The students and staff at CCTS are well deserving of this state-level recognition for their highly effective character education programs.”

Character.org is a national nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. that was established in 1993.

It works with schools and districts to inspire, educate and empower young people to be ethical and engaged citizens. It is led by education leaders who are dedicated to teaching youth how to be both smart and good through the advancement of quality character development in all schools.

The attached image is a Patch file photo.

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