Mill Pond Elementary School Program Helps Build Character

For the past 13 years, the 5th and 6th grade students at Mill Pond Elementary School in Lacey Township have started out the school day with a morning greeting, part of the school's mandatory Character Education Program.

School Principal Susan Gallagher said as a 5th grade teacher 13 years ago, she and another teacher were trained for a week on the main components of the program, which is based on Responsive Classroom, a social curriculum developed by Northeast Foundation for Children.

"Family dynamics are ever changing and therefore present difficult issues for students," said Gallagher. "A strong character ed program supports the whole child and offers a safe haven for those students who struggle with issues at home."

The program consists of: 

• Morning greeting
• Message Board - an interactive message for students in which students engage and use as a springboard for discussion.
• Class Meeting - discussion of the message of the day or any pertinent (class-related) social issues, such as teasing, death in the family, divorce, bullying. Anything that impacts the dynamics of the class.
• Code of Conduct - developed by the entire building and maintained in every classroom whether academic or extra-curricular. It is displayed on posters in every room.

All teachers in the school are trained in the main components and all are required to participate. The program is district approved and does not require parental permission. However, Gallagher said she has never had a negative opinion, comment or any opposition to the program.

"The students look forward to the greeting, as it starts their day in a positive way," said Gallagher. "Class meetings are dynamic and powerful, especially when focusing on sensitive issues. The class becomes a community and the teacher encourages all to participate."

The Code of Conduct includes: Respect - treating everyone with respect and courtesy; Responsibility - acting responsibly and accepting the consequences of one's actions; Resolution - solving problems in an appropriate manner; and Safety - creating and maintaining a positive and safe environment.

"We believe the program allows a celebration of similarities and differences and promotes acceptance of each child's unique personality," said Gallagher.  "Children are encouraged to embrace, support and protect their peers. It is modeled daily by their teachers."

Four years ago, a "Courage" poster was developed as part of a school-wide anti-bullying campaign. An assembly was held to kick-off the school's fight against bullying and the poster was introduced, which Gallagher said was very powerful and moving, as the students were encouraged to look inside themselves about bullying and determine if they were bullies, had they been bullied and what they could do to stop it. The rest of the assembly focused on rallying the students to fight against bullying.

The poster says:
COURAGE
Bully Prevention
I will do everything I can to stop bullying by:

• Checking my own actions and words
• Not tolerating threatening words, put-downs, name-calling, unkind teasing or rumors
• Being an upstander, not a bystander
• Being an ally for a student in need
• Asking an adult for help

"Good character building creates a self confident, respectful child," said Gallagher. "It is our hope that Mill Pond can support every child and the gifts and talents they have."