Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

English, math aren't enough for education

Educators at a conference learn how to pass on excellent character to their students.

By RITA FARLOW
Published July 25, 2006

LARGO - Giving teachers the skills and strategies they need to work character education into their daily curriculum was the focus of last week's fifth annual Character Camp Conference at the Gus A. Stavros Institute.

Nearly 300 Pinellas County school personnel took part in the event, which featured 39 presenters leading sessions on topics including team building and supporting positive student behavior.

A highlight of the camp was the recognition of 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, which is in Pinellas Park and draws students from Largo, Belleair and parts of unincorporated Clearwater, 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, said Claudia Hunter, a prevention specialist for Safe and Drug Free Schools. Attendees were asked for their feedback to help organizers plan for next year.

"Their evaluations were outstanding," Hunter said. "We hope to make this bigger and better every year."

[Last modified July 24, 2006, 20:40:46]