Hilton students learning respect,
responsibility through Character Education

"Have you ever been teased?" asked Hilton Assistant Principal Karen Bolinger of the fourth graders in teacher Rachel Karwoski's classroom. Hands shoot up ... "How did that make you feel?" Students responded "not that happy." Then students and Mrs. Bolinger brainstormed things they can do when they are teased or see someone else the object of teasing or bullying: "stick up for them," "tell the person to please stop - it's hurtful," "tell an adult."

Hilton Schools are in their first full year of instituting character education. In August, the board of education approved the top five character education traits: Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, Kindness and Humor.

The traits were presented to the board by Character Education Committee members Karen Bolinger, Northwood Elementary School Assistant Principal; Michael Gilbert, High School Assistant Principal; and Jodi McKain, Character Education Coordinator. The Excellence in Student Learning Strategic Plan charge for development of districtwide character education was to develop an "education umbrella that embraces all aspects of our educational family and weaves through our programs promoting quality character development."

Character Education in the Hilton School District began last March with the Hilton Parent/Community. Guest speaker was Dr. Hal Urban of the University of San Francisco, the author of Life's Greatest Challenges and Life's Greatest Lessons: 20 Things I Want My Kids to Know, the Writer's Digest 2000 National Inspirational Book of the Year, "Kind words cost little, but accomplish so much," Dr. Urban said. He spoke of the value of "affirming language" and other ways to engage children in becoming more responsive and communicative at school and at home. A 35-year teaching veteran, Dr. Urban had a "no put down" rule in his high school social studies classroom. "The goal is how to teach kids to build each other up rather than tear each other down," he said.

Organized by the District's Character Education Committee composed of 27 teachers, administrators, parents, board of education and community members, the Forum was a 'kick off' for many activities within the school community including a presentation by Dr. Urban the next day, March 8, for the entire Hilton faculty as well as 100 teachers from the Holley Central School District. Small groups of parents and teachers discussed which character traits they feel are most important from a list of 42 character traits. They then narrowed down the discussion into the "top eight" which was further refined to these traits: respect, responsibility, honesty, integrity, tolerance, perseverance, empathy, kindness, compassion and cooperation.

"Results were compiled from parents, community and staff and from the top 18 traits, K-8 students were asked to select their top 10," said Character Education Committee Co-Chair Karen Bolinger who is Assistant Principal at Northwood Elementary School. "Students then ranked their choices and in August 2002 we will take those top five traits to the Board of Education for their approval as to where we should be focusing our efforts. Among the top three are Respect, Responsibility and Honesty."

Part of Superintendent John Cooper's Excellence in Student Learning Strategic Plan, the Character Education umbrella is expected to "embrace all aspects of the Hilton educational family and weave through our programs promoting quality character development." The development of the initiative is partially based on the pioneering work done on character education by Dr. Thomas Lickona of SUNY.