February 1, 2022 - Northview School has been awarded a 2022 State School of Character. The distinction, given by Character.org, recognizes the school’s focus on character development and its effects on academic achievement, student behavior, and school climate. Northview is one of 68 schools across the nation, and one in 13 in the state, to be honored. This is the third time that Northview has been recognized as a State School of Character.
“Our students work hard every day to demonstrate our character traits of respect, responsibility, and best effort,” said Principal Brian O’Connor. “This award is validation for our students’ hard work and supports their efforts to grow and mature as successful members of our community.”
Schools awarded School of Character must meet the rigorous standards in Character.org’s 11 Principles Framework for Schools. The principles serve as a guidepost for schools to plan, implement, assess, and sustain their comprehensive character development initiative.
“Every class at Northview has character education built into their daily schedule,” said Diane Witte, Northview teacher assistant who leads the school’s Character Education team. “Character is the foundation of everything we do. We encourage our students to have good character and to grow into caring, productive community members.”
Students participate in a variety of activities to help with their character education. This could include more regularly scheduled classroom activities, like daily lessons or service learning, or larger events completed over the course of the year, like participating in the student leadership team, mentoring, or projects for the St. Patrick’s Center.
“We have had to get creative and adapt everything from our mentoring programs to our First Responders Recognition Day,” said O’Connor. “The pandemic has forced us to change the way we do business, however we have been able to maintain our focus on character education.”
Previously, Northview students had the opportunity to mentor neighboring Ackerman School students in person. Due to coronavirus precautions, the students have taken to creating short videos to send to their mentees.
“For the Northview community, this recognition fills us with pride and puts into perspective just how comprehensive our character work is with students,” said Assistant Principal Mark Sharp. “These efforts help so many of our young men and women develop the character necessary to go forth and become positive and contributing members of the community.”
Northview School is working on their 2022 National School of Character application, which requires a rigorous evaluation process and site visit. Northview has achieved National School of Character status twice in previous years. “From what we understand, no other public separate school in the nation has accomplished this achievement to date,” said O’Connor.
The 2022 National Schools of Character will be announced in May 2022.
