Governor Walker Proclaims September as 'Wisconsin Character Month'

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is issuing a Call to Character throughout the state for the month of September.

The proclamation sent out by the governor's office states that 'Wisconsin citizens have always been committed to including virtues like integrity, honesty, fairness, respect and responsibility in their daily lives which results in an economically viable and socially secure society.'

The governor's proclamation goes on to say that schools are a common way for young people to grow in character and encourages parents, teachers and administrators to be proactive in working together to encourage that growth.

Dr. William Hughes, superintendent of the Greendale School District, is currently a member of the Wisconsin Character Education Partnership, a Milwaukee based organization which promotes character education in schools.

Hughes says the is placing a growing emphasis on character education at all grade levels. As examples, he points to the service learning component at the middle school, which builds character by involving students in helping the community outside of school and the GMS P.R.I.D.E program, which teaches students compassion and respect for the world around them.

The Call to Character Month proclamation asks Wisconsin residents to remember how virtue has been the basis for all the positive accomplishments made in the state and asks residents to imagine a better state and world.