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Lessons in character

By RITA FARLOW
Published July 23, 2006

Close to 300 Pinellas County Schools' personnel participated in the fifth annual Character Camp Conference at the Gus A. Stavros Institute in Largo last week.

The cross-departmental event included breakout sessions designed to give staffers the skills and strategies they need to implement character education into their existing curriculum and daily activities, said Claudia Hunter, a prevention specialist for Safe and Drug Free Schools.

Attendees could hear from 39 presenters who led sessions on topics from team-building techniques to positive behavior support for students.

One highlight of the event was the recognition of Pinellas Park's Cross Bayou Elementary School, which was named a 2006 National School of Character by the Character Education Partnership, a nonprofit coalition that advocates character education in K-12 schools. Cross Bayou was one of only 10 schools selected nationwide and is the first Pinellas County school to receive the award.

This year's character camp was the largest yet, Hunter said. Attendees were asked for their feedback, in order to help organizers plan for next year.

"Their evaluations were outstanding. We hope to make this bigger and better every year," Hunter said. The event is sponsored by the district's Safe and Drug Free Schools and the Stavros Institute.

[Last modified July 22, 2006, 20:33:32]