Lindbergh Early Childhood Education is one of 17 Missouri schools and 83 schools nationwide to receive the 2017 National School of Character Award from Character.org, a nonprofit organization that validates character initiatives in schools and communities around the world.

“For years, ECE has provided a strong foundation in Character Education for Lindbergh’s youngest students,” Superintendent Jim Simpson stated in a news release. “We are very proud that they have achieved this milestone, as one of only seven early childhood education programs nationwide ever to have earned the prestigious National School of Character recognition.”

Throughout the year, LECE families participate in Family of the Month programs, sharing family traditions, theme days, service learning projects and day-to-day student accomplishments. Students also focus on a new character trait each month, and teachers incorporate those traits into their daily lessons. The school’s newsletter provides parents with tips on how to continue supporting character education development at home as well.

“Character education is a community effort at LECE as we work together toward one main goal: LECE Flyers are Good Friends,” Director Charlene Ziegler stated in the release. “We treat each other with kindness, we show respect and we cooperate and serve others. This accomplishment is a reflection of our entire community, and I am very proud of all of our LECE Flyers family.”

LECE won the State School of Character Award this January and has received several Character Education Promising Practice Awards, including an award in 2017 for its “Family 5” initiative. “Family 5” is a list of tips sent home monthly by classroom teachers who teach 2- to 3-year-olds to strengthen the home-school connection and encourage families to actively engage in their child’s development.

Since the inception of Character.org’s Schools of Character program in 1998, 474 schools and 30 districts have been designated as National Schools or Districts of Character, impacting more than 1.5 million students’ lives. Each year, Character.org and its state affiliates select schools and districts that demonstrate a dedicated focus on character development programs and a positive impact on academic achievement, student behavior, school climate and their communities.

Schools and districts selected in January as State Schools of Character, along with those schools who reapplied in their 3-year designation, were forwarded to Character.org for consideration for national recognition as National Schools of Character.

Character.org will honor the designated schools and districts at its 24th National Forum on Character Education Oct. 20 and Oct. 21 in Arlington, Va.

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