Halifax School District Named a State District of Character

CENTER VALLEY, PA (02/20/2013)(readMedia)-- DeSales University recently named Pennell Elementary School in Aston, Pa., a State School of Character, and Halifax School District in Halifax, Pa., a State District of Character for the State Schools of Character program administered by the Character Education Partnership (CEP).

Serving as a partner for the CEP, DeSales University collects the applications of schools from Pennsylvania and determines which schools or districts in the state should be named a School (or District) of Character. Thirty states participate in the program and 15 states have named 50 schools and districts State Schools of Character for 2013.

"These schools have created extremely positive school cultures where students and teachers feel safe and connected to each other in order to ensure the greatest learning environment possible," said Lara Maupin, CEP's National Schools of Character director. "By focusing on relationships and what matters most in education, these schools have created the ideal conditions for learning and the students are thriving and growing into future leaders."

Each year, DeSales selects schools and districts that demonstrate, through a rigorous evaluation process, that their focus on character development has had a true positive impact on academic achievement, student behavior, and school climate. Selected schools are then named State Schools of Character and forwarded to CEP for consideration for national recognition as National Schools of Character.

State and National Schools of Character are expected to serve as models for other schools by helping them achieve the same results. DeSales University will recognize winners by presenting them with an official banner from the University and the CEP. The CEP will announce finalists for the national award by March 1 and national winners in early May.

The Character Education Partnership is a national advocate and leader for the character education movement. Based in Washington, DC, the group is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nonsectarian coalition of organizations and individuals committed to fostering effective character education in our nation's schools. They provide the vision, leadership and resources for schools, families, and communities to develop ethical citizens committed to building a just and caring world. For more information about State and National Schools of Character and how schools can improve through high-quality character education, visit www.character.org or contact DeSales University.