CHARACTER COUNTS! Spotlight: Tulare County
Tulare County Office of Education has led its school districts in celebrating National CHARACTER COUNTS! Week since 1996. This year, 143 Tulare County schools nominated 4,675 students for the annual Kids of Character Awards, held in partnership with the Visalia Times-Delta/Tulare Advance-Register. Each day of CHARACTER COUNTS! Week, the Visalia Times-Delta/Tulare Advance-Register features stories on selected students who perform remarkable acts of kindness, made good decisions, or served others selflessly in their schools and communities.
“We are very excited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of CHARACTER COUNTS! Week in Tulare County together with our partner, Visalia Times-Delta,” said Tim Hire, Tulare County Superintendent of Schools. “What began in 1996 has continued to grow into a national implementation model for character education. What was important about developing character in youth 25 years ago is still important today and will be important 25 years from now. The benefits help put young people on a smoother path for life and that has a ripple effect in their families and within our community. It’s a generational, community asset.”
Annually, the 30 winners and finalists profiled in the Visalia Times-Delta/Tulare Advance-Register are honored at the annual Provident-Salierno Family Foundation Awards. The CHARACTER COUNTS! review committee chooses winners and finalists to represent each of the Six Pillars of Character. A video highlighting the winners and finalists will be posted on TCOE’s website, YouTube Channel, and social media platforms. Through the generous support of the Provident-Salierno Family Foundation, students honored each year receive a scholarship.