Hello from the Maple Valley School in Wendell MA!

On our campus we have formed a CC! committee made up of 9 students and 2 staff. The committee meets weekly and plans for quarterly CC! Event Assemblies. The students are also responsible for creating and maintaining bulletin boards throughout the school regarding the Six Pillars.

Recently we held a “Respect” assembly. Our guest speakers were two MA State Police Troopers who spoke to the student body regarding bullying and its effect and consequences in society today. They also spoke of how important all the Six Pillars were important in their line of work.

One of our students, Levi T, wrote and read the following at the assembly:

“Respect is regard and esteem. It is consideration and attention. Respect is also approval and appreciation and recognition. Respect is a pillar of character that should resonate through Maple Valley.
Some benefits of people treating others with respect is it builds friendships. By respecting your peers you are setting the wheels in motion for that respect to come right back at you. Respect is the glue that holds friendships together. It is the foundation of every relationship in your life. Respect begets respect and adds depth and trust with our peers. So next time your thinking about being disrespectful, take a step back and remember what’s important.”

Levi recently left our campus to go onto join the Job Corps and is working in Vermont in Urban Forestry.

Other news: we are in the planning stages of starting the first time ever campus newspaper. The students are also busying planning for daily activities for the CC Week. We will send in updates and pictures during that week.

Thanks!
The Maple Valley Student Character Counts Committee

John Forenti, a former Tulare County Teacher of the Year, is one of Josephson Institute’s most distinguished speakers and faculty members. Certified to lead our seminars in three disciplines – character development, sportsmanship, and workplace ethics – he has given training sessions to more than 3,000 educators, parents, and community members since 1996.

To inspire returning and new teachers for the year ahead, we asked Forenti what’s the biggest myth about character education, how come sportsmanship has deteriorated so much, and why teaching is like running a marathon.