BY PATRICIA KELLER
WEST MILFORD — Macopin Middle School and Upper Greenwood Lake Elementary School have earned the state-level School of Character designation.
This is Macopin's third consecutive year with the honor. But there is more. This year, Macopin was also named a National School of Character.
"One of my goals for the past three years has been that Macopin School would be named a New Jersey School of Character," said Mary Reinhold, principal of Macopin. "I knew we had all the right people and programs in place to reach that goal. I figured that, once that happened, we would continue to strive for the National recognition. I can't tell you how excited I was to get the news that we had won both in the same year! I am so lucky to have such a dedicated staff, that works so closely with the administration, to continuously improve the culture and the climate by incorporating new ideas into the total school program at Macopin."
Reinhold said the school earned the designation through programs that help students develop and practice “core values” and activities showing good citizenship, such as the Make a Change Club (MACC), Operation Thank You, and Diamond Cluster Environmental Assistance projects, to name a few. Reinhold said the programs and activities all feature “students and teachers working together to be good citizens.” Reinhold credited former Macopin Principal Ray Johnson for starting character education programs at Macopin School during his tenure as principal, and added that all schools in the district are now involved in character education.
National character
Macopin was named a national School of Character just last week, in a press release from character.org. The organization announced the addition of 67 schools and districts from 14 states to its 2015 roster of “National Schools of Character.” According to the release, “Each school or district is recognized for its commitment to character education and for fostering a positive environment for social and academic learning.” A total of 312 schools and 21 districts have been recognized with this prestigious designation since the inception of the “Schools of Character Program” in 1998, reportedly impacting more than 1.5 million students.
Reinhold said the school is “lucky to have an enthusiastic, involved staff” in what she refers to as “our Macopin family."
“They love what they do, and it shows!”
UGL has character
Principal Dan Novak at Upper Greenwood Lake Elementary School said he was thrilled to get the news. He attributed it all to his staff and students.
"At UGL, Come gather round people wherever you road. And admit that th ewaters aroundyou have grown and accept that soon the things are grown. And the times they are achanging.
inception of the “Schools of Character Program” in 1998, reportedly impacting more than 1.5 million students.
Reinhold said the school is “lucky to have an enthusiastic, involved staff” in what she refers to as “our Macopin family."
“They love what they do, and it shows!”