South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

Sappington, John Cary earn national character honor

Sappington, John Cary earn national character honor

Lindbergh Schools’ Sappington Elementary School and the Mehlville School District’s John Cary Early Childhood Center are two of the 68 schools nationwide named 2016 National Schools of Character.

Both schools were named State Schools of Character earlier this year. Recognition as a State School of Character is a prerequisite to Character.org’s National Schools of Character program. The goal is to recognize schools and districts that demonstrate an exemplary level of implementation of the Eleven Principles of Effective Character Education.

Character.org, a national advocate and leader for the character education movement, will honor the two schools at its 23rd National Forum on Character Education set for Oct. 14 and Oct. 15 in Washington, D.C.

In addition to its latest honor, Sappington Elementary is also a Missouri Gold Star School and a National Blue Ribbon School.

Sappington was one of seven CharacterPlus schools in Missouri that reapplied to become a State School of Character in February.

Sappington has created a culture of character that extends into every area of learning, including a Bucket of Wishes program to assist Sappington families in need, and an emphasis on student leadership habits and development, a Lindbergh news release stated.

“The Sappington students, staff, and community are very proud to be recognized twice now as a National School of character,” said Sappington Principal Craig Hamby. “This is the highest honor in character that a school can achieve, and we strive to ensure that good character, respect, and responsibility is the foundation of our school on a daily basis.”

Recognition as a State School of Character is a prerequisite to Character.org’s National Schools of Character program. The goal is to recognize schools and districts that demonstrate an exemplary level of implementation of the 11 Principles of Effective Character Education.

Sappington will hold its National School of Character title for five years. Besides Sappington, within Lindbergh Schools, Crestwood, Kennerly, Long and Sappington elementary schools and Lindbergh High School have all been recognized as National Schools of Character.

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