Tag Archives: Education

Living Values Education at Aventura School

Dear Partners in Positive School Cultures,

Some of you know abut Living Values Education Program (www.livingvalueseducation.org ) which is a ten year old non-profit all volunteer organization dedicated to being a part of a global movement for a culture of peace in the framework of the United Nations International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World. All of our approaches are strength based.

We incorporate Ai in to all our staff trainings and have been working with school systems in USA and the countries around us and belong to such groups as the Character Education Partnership out of D.C. where we provided a presentation at their annual conference on the results of our parenting groups in Dade County. We have a series of books that help adults come up with activities with different ages in 12 values (http://www.livingvalueseducation.org/Resources/Book_Overview/Book_Overview.htm )

We have just learned that one of the schools (Aventura School in Florida} we have worked with these past seven years is a finalist for national recognition. Here is the official release.

TWENTY-SEVEN SCHOOLS AND DISTRICTS SELECTED AS NATIONAL FINALISTS IN PRESTIGIOUS CHARACTER EDUCATION COMPETITION
Winners to be selected in late May
February 25, 2009 . . . Washington, DC

The Character Education Partnership (CEP) has named twenty-five schools and two districts as National Finalists in its National Schools of Character (NSOC) awards program. CEP, the nation’s leading advocate for quality character education, chose the 27 National Finalists from a record 185 applicants across the United States. CEP will be conducting site visits to all National Finalists throughout the end of April. CEP’s Blue Ribbon Panel will then meet to select approximately 10 winners in May.

“CEP congratulates all the applicants and commends them for the important work they are doing to develop young people of good character,” CEP Executive Director Joe Mazzola said. “Character education has never been more important. It is a genuine honor to recognize these exemplar schools that are setting the standard for the rest of the nation.”

Schools or districts selected as the 2009 National Schools of Character will receive the award, national recognition, and a financial grant at CEP’s 16th National Forum on Character Education, Citizens of Character – the Foundation of Democracy, to be held October 29-31, 2009, at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center outside of Washington, DC. Having demonstrated the success of their initiatives through the rigorous NSOC application and screening process, winners use their grants to serve as national leaders and models for other schools and districts seeking to improve their character education efforts.

“We know the NSOC application process is time-consuming and demanding,” NSOC Director Janice Stoodley said. “But applicants repeatedly tell us they benefit from applying. We know the process works. We are able to find schools and districts doing innovative things to connect with kids and connect kids to their communities. We see first-hand the remarkable results these schools are able to achieve in terms of academic achievement and school climate.”

CEP selects the National Finalists on the strength of their written applications, which demonstrate their outstanding work in encouraging the ethical, social, and academic growth of their students through effective character education. In addition to the 27 National Finalists, 28 schools will receive national honorable mention as a result of the strength of their work. CEP’s Eleven Principles of Effective Character Education, which defines excellence in character education, guides the evaluation and selection of finalists and winners.

Each year since 1998, the NSOC awards program has recognized K-12 schools and districts that provide exemplary comprehensive character education programs that consistently yield positive results in student behavior, citizenship, school climate, and academic performance. For more information about CEP or the NSOC awards program, visit www.character.org.

Character Education Partnership2009 National Schools of Character Award National Finalists:

Alta S. Leary Elementary School, Warminster, Pennsylvania
Ashland High School, Ashland, Ohio
Aventura City of Excellence School, Aventura, Florida
Bayless Elementary School, St. Louis, Missouri
Bayless Junior High School, St. Louis, Missouri
Beverly Elementary School, Beverly Hills, Michigan
Beverly Woods Elementary School, Charlotte, North Carolina
The Blake School, Hopkins, Minnesota
Brigantine Elementary School, Brigantine, New Jersey
Col. John Robinson School, Westford, Massachusetts
First Philadelphia Charter School for Literacy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Fox C-6 School District, Arnold, Missouri
Fuguitt Elementary School, Largo, Florida
Greenfield Elementary School, Beverly Hills, Michigan
Hamilton Township School District, Hamilton, New Jersey
Kehrs Mill Elementary School, Chesterfield, Missouri
Lake Riviera Middle School, Brick, New Jersey
Long Elementary School, Crestwood, Missouri
Lore Elementary School, Ewing, New Jersey
Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy, Alexandria, Virginia
Milwaukee College Prep School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Parkside Primary Center, Bethalto, Illinois
Peak to Peak Charter School, Lafayette, Colorado
Seminole Elementary School, Seminole, Florida
Sullivan Primary School, Sullivan, Missouri
Walnut Street Elementary School, Uniondale, New York
Westwood Elementary School, Friendswood, Texas

Geographic distribution:
The 2009 National Finalists represent 15 states. Five states have two or more National Finalists: Missouri (6), New Jersey (4), Florida (3), Michigan (2), and Pennsylvania (2). In 2009, 26 states participated in the State Schools of Character awards program, a preliminary step in reaching the national level of competition. All of the 27 National Finalists were part of this process and named State Finalists in their states.

Demographics:
Most of the 2009 National Finalists are public schools although two are districts and one is a private school. Nineteen of the twenty-five schools are elementary schools, two are middle schools, one is a high school, and three have a mix of grade levels. Most National Finalists are located in suburban settings, although nine of the schools are urban and one of the schools is located in a rural area. A number of the National Finalists have student populations that may be described as low-income; 10 have one-third or more of their students eligible for free and reduced price lunch.

Anne Rarich
Certified Executive Coach and Facilitator
Inscape Publishing
Authorized Distributor
Phone: 978-369-9071
Web: http://www.learning-exchange.com

2008 Annual Positive Change Core Meeting

Thank you to everyone who participated on March 1, 2008 in Deerfield, FL either in person at the Hampden Inn or virtually. This was an extraordinary meeting for PCC. We acknowledged that we are at a critical crossroad in our evolution. We have a rich history of working with school communities that want to change direction to using positive approaches with youth. The experience in our membership attests to the strong commitment and significant skills that we can continue to provide. Our chaordic design products are withstanding tests of use in multiple environments.

We decided that it is time to move forward in a direction that will support an involved international community of people who recognize the fundamental value of investment in the quality and experience our youth in educational and developmental arenas. Our Lead Learner product is on schedule and we expect a 2008 publication. Other publications are in progress and we established 2008 production goals.

We embraced the objectives of the International Education Conference and will support organizational activities.

Positive Change Core will move forward throughout 2008. We will embrace new opportunities, explore innovation, and emerge as an energetic andÂ engaging beacon for positive approaches with youth in education and other organizations.

April 15 2008 – A Foundation

In this meeting, we made critical structural decisions and set a path for the future.

I. Updates on Current Activities

Structural Definition

PCC will pursue a single social business entity. The social business will be an LLC-B. The structure will be broad enough to include international personnel and activities. Currently, there is a core of active people, primarily in the US, but the span of interest and collaboration is global. For example, the business should accommodate products and services performed in Australia. The implications of an international business are under review.
From the international perspective, a quick web-glance indicates that social businesses may exist, but not prominently.
The nature of the business is a ‘relationship broker’. PCC will connect positive change activities to funding, services, and tools. It will promote and support collaborations. The business design enables measurement of impact and reach of positive approaches in schools and youth organizations.
Income from the business will support the activities of PCC in schools, communities, and youth organizations.

Incorporation

PCC is exploring incorporation as an LLC in Florida, Illinois, and Washington. The business will pursue a B designation, institutionalizing commitment to act in the best interests of current/past employees, the environment, stakeholders, and the locations in which we operate.
We know that the B designation is OK in Washington.
At the end of the fiscal year, the LLC will not have a profit, however a reasonable contingency account is appropriate.
A key factor in determining the state for incorporation is cost.

Board of Directors

We have a list of potential members of the board of directors. We will determine the number and composition based on a structure of roles and responsibilities (board, management, employees, and contractors).
PCC members on the call are candidates for the board.

Not-for-Profit

PCC will not pursue a new not-for-profit (NFP) incorporation. However, research into the description and status of the current Delaware incorporation will enable a decision to drop or maintain the Positive Change Corps name.
We determined that the primary reason for keeping a NFP is to apply for grants. However, our role is to connect schools and youth organizations with funders. We are not their competitors.
We will choose to amend the existing DE incorporated name to DBA Positive Change Core if the cost is reasonable. If the cost is high, we will not maintain the DE incorporation.

II. Funding

PCC has about $100 in its account. We need to identify startup costs, such as incorporation, virtual meeting services, and website.
A recommendation to establish an a $200 fee was made. We will review this suggestion when startup cost research has been completed.

III. Deferred Topics:

2009 Canton Gathering (Joyce)
- Status
- What are the support needs from PCC?
What else should we be focusing on to redefine PCC?
There is a lot more to do.
International Education Conference and Current status of Core Team

IV. Next Steps for Next Meeting: May 20, 2008 at 6:00pm EDT

Incorporation (Gina and Shelia). Research and make final recommendations for incorporation. Recommendation should include: state, type of tax structure (LLC-B), and determination of existing DE corporation.
Board of Directors (Shelia and Gina). Shelia will develop draft roles and responsibilities. Gina will consolidate lists of potential candidates for further review.
Startup Costs (All). Shelia will present three options for virtual meeting services. Key factors include services, participant load, and cost. Gina and Shelia will identify cost of incorporation as part of their recommendation. Shelia will identify costs associated with the PCC website. Everyone is invited to recommend items that will be necessary to begin our business. Please email Shelia and Gina (symcats@msn.com and Hinrichs@geneseo.net)

Charting The Future

March 19, 2008 Meeting Notes

This meeting represents the fundamental and foundational discussions towards a restructure.

I. Identify next steps: PCC Structure

What is the appropriate tax structure to support a social business?

Two organizations (Not-for-Profit and For-Profit) with separate tax structures included under an umbrella. This will enable the Not-for-Profit to pursue grants (local emphasis per project and national for more universal activities) and gifts. Each entity is dynamic: multiple satellites using a common official address and contact. Question: How do we structure the umbrella entity?
Not-for-Profit will focus on projects such as summits
For-Profit will develop products (publications, manuals, workbooks, etc.) with authors,Â and deliver meeting and training support services
Gina will investigate business structure as LLC. What are the costs?
Shelia shared information about corporations, LLC-B, that are designed to meet rigorous standards for human services, the environment, and financial support for local communities.

To create a social business, what is the problem that we are trying to solve?

Individuals and organizations are looking for options for positive approaches with youth (Seekers)
Individuals and organizations engaged in efforts to use positive approaches want information about successful experiences to assess potential use in their organizations (Engagers)
Seekers and Engagers desire training and support services to increase knowledge and guide their activities
Communication across whole systems and communities of Seekers and Engagers is essential. This communication can be virtual or terrestrial (in a room). Organizers and coordinators of change activity often lack the skill, resources, and time to manage the myriad types and forms of communication available to them.
Cost of forming business and acquiring tools will be built into the financial plan. Investors will be repaid from profit. Costs include: Virtual meeting support tools: Microsoft LiveMeeting (preferred) @ $600 /year; website development and maintenance; publication channel ($7 each @ 200 copies)

What are the products/services that will solve the problem?

Products: publishing – books, manuals
Services: training, virtual/terrestrial meeting support

Board reconstitution: Who do we need? What resources are necessary?

Shelia will gather names of current board members

II. What is our business plan?

Timeline
Finances
Marketing

III. What is the status of our current product list?

Lead Learner Manual

Gina and Nancy are currently working on Section 3.
Prepare hardcopy book and a download
Working on $15 strategy

Lead Learner Training

Gina and Nancy will conduct a pre-conference training session in June 2009 at the Canton gathering

Marge/Joyce book

Joyce ahs reviewed completed work and is pleased with product.
Book is 2/3 completed

IV. What else should we be focusing on to redefine PCC?

There is lots more to do.

V. International Education Conference

Current status of Core Team – Deferred

International Education Conference Planning Meeting, February 2008

The International Education Conference Planning Meeting was a virtual and terrestrial success. Attendees used innovative technology to identify characteristics for key portfolios (teams). We determined that organizing for a successful multi-dimensional international experience in 2009 is too ambitious. The emphasis is on “success”. We will host a trial gathering in June 2009 in Canton, Ohio.

Congratulations to all who participated in this momentus meeting.

Positive Change Core