The Meramec Valley R-III School District was notified of three schools being recognized nationally for their character education practices. Nike Elementary, Robertsville Elementary, and Truman Elementary are among 177 schools in the nation to receive this honor.
Nike Elementary has received one National Promising Practice for their Art Gallery. The Nike Art Gallery highlights student artwork with Student Art Curators managing the Gallery. The Student Art Curators select the art that will be displayed and maintain the space for the artwork to be viewed. Parents of Nike students have reported creating Art Galleries in their homes modeled after the school initiative.
Truman Elementary’s 10 X 2 - We Believe in You practice has been selected as a model for other schools. The goal was to develop a sense of family and community while encouraging and motivating students to be their best. The Truman 10 x 2, We Believe in You follows the process of a 10 X 2 character education strategic practice, in which every adult in the building picks a student who they did not know to intentionally connect with and form a relationship. For ten days in a row, two minutes a day; the adults at Truman made connections and formed relationships with their chosen students.
Robertsville Elementary was notified that they earned two awards: Feeding our Heroes and Shamrocks for Dogs. Feeding our Heroes was developed by second grade students that had a goal to show their community they cared for local heroes. After brainstorming, the students landed on providing healthy snacks for the local EMS staff. Students researched the cost of the project, identified healthy snacks, and delivered the items to the heroes. The second practice being recognized is Shamrocks for Dogs which was developed by fourth grade students at the school. Students created a plan to raise money for a local dog rescue shelter after having a lesson on empathy. Students sold shamrocks to their peers with positive messages attached to brighter their day.
“The Meramec Valley R-III School District is proud of these school’s accomplishments and continued efforts to provide a positive school climate for students and staff to work and learn,” said Dr. Ketina Armstrong, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. “The District recognizes the importance of character development for our students to care about and practice positive character traits at school, home, and in the community.”
Character.org, a national advocate and leader for character in schools and communities, certified 177 Promising Practices in schools and organizations on June 1, 2023. "We are extremely proud to recognize the schools and organizations that have developed and implemented a Promising Practice” said Dr. Arthur Schwartz, President of Character.org. “Each of these programs and initiatives have demonstrated significant impact and strongly align with the principles that help schools and organizations cultivate a culture of character.” Character.org will honor each 2023 Promising Practice recipient (schools and organizations) at its 30th Anniversary National Forum LIVE in Washington D.C. to be held November 6-7, 2023. See the full list of the 2023 Promising Practices at Character.org.