BY PATRICIA KELLER
WEST MILFORD — West Milford Township Public Schools have earned three new designations as state and national schools of character, and two new honorable mention awards for 2017.
Maple Road, Paradise Knoll, and Upper Greenwood Lake elementary schools were all named National Schools of Character by Character.org and the New Jersey Alliance for Social, Emotional, and Character Development (NJASECD).
West Milford Township High School and Apshawa Elementary School earned honorable mention designations for State Schools of Character for their character education endeavors for the 2016-2017 school year.
“Teaching the whole child – academics as well as social and emotional health – is important every day in every one of our schools,” stated Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Alex Anemone upon learning of the schools earning the state-level School of Character designations.
The principals of Maple Road, Paradise Knoll and Upper Greenwood Lake were thrilled with the achievement.
“We are proud and humbled by the distinction of National School of Character," said Jennifer Miller, principal of Paradise Knoll. "I would like to formally acknowledge and thank all of the teachers and staff that work so hard to create an environment at Paradise Knoll where ‘Character Matters!’ I would also like to thank all of the PK parents and families who constantly support our students on this character journey.”
"Maple Road School is tremendously proud of the honor of being selected as a National School of Character,” said Maple Road School Principal Bill Kane in a comment to The Messenger. “This distinction is a credit to the hard work and quality character of our staff, students, and parents. To become a National School of Character, the entire Maple Road School community worked together to weave Character.org's 11 Principles of Character into the fabric of our school's climate and culture. We are so proud to be recognized for this hard work. Go Mustangs!"
Dr. Greg Matlosz, principal of Upper Greenwood Lake Elementary School
“UGL is very proud to be recognized as a National School of Character," said Matlosz. "I would like to thank Mrs. Johanna Archer, Mrs. Mindy Turner, the Character Education Committee, staff, students, and the community for all of their hard work in making this become a reality. It is fantastic to see our school district move even closer to becoming a School District of Character.”
Macopin Middle School also previously earned the honorable mention designation in 2016. Once a school earns the designation as a state School of Character, they hold that designation for three years.
District schools also received 19 additional “Promising Practice” awards for their various character education programs.
In total, 83 schools and four districts from 21 states were named as National Schools and Districts of Character for 2017 by Character.org and the NJASECD. Seventeen of the schools named in 2017 were former National Schools of Character reapplying for the national designation.
Accepting their awards and recognitionKane, Miller and Matlosz represented their schools, along with other fellow district administrators and staff at Rider University to be recognized at the state level for their achievements and accept their awards.
Character.org will honor the designated schools and districts on the national level at its 24th annual “National Forum on Character Education” event to be held the weekend of October 20-21, 2017 in Arlington, Virginia.
Anemone said the district representatives will not only be attending, but will be also be giving a presentation at the prestigious National Forum of Character Education in the fall, and that a “showroom-type of display” will then be presented for public viewing at the November 2017 Board of Education meeting.
About Character.orgCharacter.org, a national nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., was founded in 1993 with the mission to provide leadership and advocacy for character worldwide. The organization is committed to helping people everywhere in becoming educated, inspired and empowered to be ethical and compassionate citizens.
National Schools of Character are schools that have completed an in-depth and rigorous evaluation process including site visits, and were found to be exemplary models of character development; having demonstrated that character development has had a positive impact on academics, student behavior, and school climate. National schools of character hold their designation for five years and become part of a national network of Schools of Character serving as models and mentors to other educators nationwide.