Character DOES Count

Each quarter, our school has a large “pep rally,” and at the end of the year, that pep rally morphs into an awards celebration. For several years, our school has been awarded the “Excelling” label based on standardized test scores (I know, I know, they are an instrument of evil; nonetheless……), and for the past two years (since we’ve been under the leadership of our fabulous principal), we have earned the District Superintendant’s Award of Excellence (for “Providing instruction using differentiation, tiered instruction, and appropriate research-based interventions and a school-wide writing portfolio system, building strong student, parent, and community relationships, and implementing the first Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Academy which includes a rigor and relevant curriculum and the use of emerging technologies, Desert School sets the bar above minimum requirements needed for future success.” ) and the Red Carpet Service Award (“for modeling exemplary customer service.”) This is the first time in our district that a K-8 school has won these last two awards back-to-back.

Additionally, our school was awarded the A+ School of Excellence by the state's Educational Foundation, an award that is based on a multi-page application process and site judging. The process took place over several months, and for the first time in our nine-year history, we were awarded this designation, a label that we can proclaim for the next three years.

I tell you all this to give you the context for what I’m about to tell you. Because this year’s award celebration was so incredible given all of the accolades, a huge assembly was planned. We had the city’s vice mayor there, three district superintendents, two state senators, and other special guests. The band played, the chorus sang, and the cheerleaders lead the kids in a cheer. It was a raucous and proud moment for our school. As you know, we went through a “rough” patch a few years ago, but we are now on the path to continued excellence, which is what our kids deserve.

One of the awards that is presented quarterly is a character award. The principal herself handpicks an eighth grade student whom she feels exemplifies the six pillars of character: respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, citizenship, fairness, and caring. She keeps the name of the recipient to herself until the moment the name is announced at the assembly. I think it is one of the greatest honors that a student can be awarded at our school because it goes beyond academic and/or athletic excellence. This award signifies that this student has outstanding character and lives to “fill up others’ buckets” on a daily basis, both visibly and (more importantly) without being noticed or seeking attention.

This quarter’s recipient of the Outstanding Character award is my beautiful, talented, highly intelligent, loving, and most excellent daughter, Bonnie Lass .

And yes, thinking of this still makes me teary. Her dad and I couldn’t be more proud. And did I mention that she was chosen to sing the U.S. National Anthem at her promotion ceremony next week? :-)

Thanks for letting me gush.

Our school teaches and upholds the lessons contained in the Character Counts program. (For more information, click on the link.)