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| Many American educators have been talking about and implementing
character education programs in their respective schools. Closely allied with the study of citizenship,
civics, ethics, morals, and values, character education has experienced a renewed interest in schools and
communities.
The rationale for this current emphasis unfortunately has haunted our local, state, national and international scenes in recent years. Youth crime, suicide, drug, alcohol, tobacco abuse, and child abuse are exposed constantly in the media. Even in communities and schools which have been known as peaceful, safe environments, youth have committed monstrous atrocities with devastating results. These incidences funnel into a deeply entrenched national concern regarding American youth. Educators, families, churches, politicians, and communities have been working collectively to face the challenge of instilling a moral conscience into our youth to assist them in becoming responsible and respectful citizens. Much of the current literature on character education speaks to the importance of establishing a "caring community" in our schools. Schaps, Watson and Lewis, 1996, state community is not so much a place as an experience-the experience of feeling valued, connected and responsible to others. Each and every person in a "caring community" has a mutual understanding and commitment to basic moral values such as kindness, service, respect, and responsibility. The September 11, 2001 homeland tragedy sent a stunning shock wave throughout the United States with tremors felt around the world. Firefighters, police, rescue workers, and volunteers along with families, schools, communities, churches, businesses, non profit organizations and specialty groups rallied together. Their actions time and time again portrayed extraordinary examples of what it truly means to be a "caring community". President Bush also spoke to the children of America, asking them to extend their caring beyond our borders to the children of war plagued Afghanistan. The Price Laboratory School's Elementary Citizenship Program provided a safety net for students, faculty, staff, and families in the aftermath of these horrific events. Tremendous comfort was found in the rituals and traditions this program is built upon. A heightened level of meaning was felt in the hearts of many as they stood together at the September Citizenship Assembly reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, singing patriotic songs, and gathering together in their "caring community". |
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For more information contact: |