Mt. Pleasant Middle Unveils New Character Education Program

Submitted from Livingston Public Schools.

Students at Mount Pleasant Middle School are participating in a new character education program aimed at improving school for all students and staff.

“We want students to love school,” Principal Debra Ostrowski told the school during a special assembly. “We want to make Mt. Pleasant Middle School a great place to learn not only about academics, but good personal character in Livingston and for the rest of your life.”

The program is based on four pillars: caring, respect, responsibility and trustworthiness, Ostrowski told the school’s students at a special assembly earlier this month. The program encourages teamwork and is part of the school’s Puma Pride program.  “It is something that has been in development and it is taking on a new angle,” Ostrowski said.

The new program was created by the school’s character education committee consisting of Ostrowski, Assistant Principal Andrew Espinosa and Mary Oates, Livingston Public Schools’ Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, as well as MPM staff Kim Lui, Katy Quillen, Doug Jay, Susie Ferguson and Wendy Walter.

“Why are pillars important to a building?” teacher Doug Jay asked students during an assembly.

The students also talked about each of the pillars and what characteristics demonstrate each of them. Empathy and kindness are associated with caring, Quillen said. “We need to be aware of other’s feelings.”

Ferguson spoke about respect and how it involves politeness, patience, listening and body language.

Another pillar is responsibility. At this point, student Joshua Gill was recognized for finding $3 in the hallway and giving it to a teacher.

Students were asked to apply the pillars on the school bus, in the cafeteria, in the locker room, in class and in the hallway.

After the students were introduced to the program with a slide show and staff presentations, many students said they were very receptive to the new program.

“I think it will definitely help make people be nicer and more respectful and caring to each other and to the teachers,” said Joshua Gill, the student who found and turned in the $3.

“I think it really makes school a better place because people will be more aware of their actions,” said Zoe Pritikin.

On Friday, students met in special advisory classes and talked about how they would handle different situations and which of the four pillars they fell under.  In Katy Quillen’s advisory group, she asked students what they would do if they saw a boy whom they know, who was kind of a school bully, crying by his locker. Many students said they would approach the boy and ask him what was wrong. The worst thing he could do would be to tell them to leave him alone, Quillen advised.

In Doug Jay’s advisory class, he asked students what they would do if a teacher made a mistake grading their test. Many said they would approach the teacher to discuss it.

Students will participate in monthly advisory meetings that will have a character education and team-building focus to help improve life at Mt. Pleasant Middle School, Ostrowski said.

Allison Freeman is the Interim Manager of Communications and Community Outreach for Livingston Public Schools.