Character Education at Pinewood - Mohonasen CSD, Rotterdam, NY

Pinewood Intermediate School masthead graphic

Character Counts at Pinewood!

Picture of two Pinewood students The Pinewood Character Education Committee has been working hard to enrich and broaden the Character Counts Program across the Pinewood School Community. Every month our school will focus on one designated theme (examples include: respect, responsibility, kindness, honesty, good sportsmanship, etc.). Teachers are encouraged to integrate these themes in their planning across all curriculum areas. The Character Education Committee and our Librarian, Ms. Holland, provides Web site and other media resources for this to be accomplished.

To further incorporate each month’s theme in the school day, teachers and students are encouraged to create projects, such as posters, stories or displays that represent each month’s trait. Those projects are displayed in the library display case by the Character Education Committee and Mrs. Holland. Also, Mrs. Haynesworth, our school social worker, announces monthly themed inspirations over the PA system for students and staff to reflection upon.

In addition, each month every grade level nominates and chooses four students who have displayed exceptional behavior symbolic of the theme for that month. On the last Friday of each month, these 12 students have their picture taken and posted in the school and down below on the Pinewood Web site. These students are also awarded a certificate and shirt to honor and recognize them for their positive behavior. The Character Counts t-shirt is designed by a design contest winner. This year’s winner was Milan Pfister in 3rd grade. Her design demonstrates the character traits that all students are encouraged to display.

Each spring a Character Counts breakfast ceremony will be held at Pinewood for parents, teachers and administrators to formally recognize the students who have been awarded throughout the school year.

Help make Character Count at Pinewood Intermediate School. Talk as a family about our character counts themes and discuss ways these themes can be displayed at home, in school, and in the community!

2009-2010 Hall of Fame

Photo of contest winner Congratulations to fifth grader Troy Herholz, the winner of the Character Counts t-shirt contest. See Troy's winning design (PDF)