SHINGLEHOUSE — The Oswayo Valley Elementary School has received a generous donation from the Shinglehouse American Legion to contribute to the district’s “Character Counts” program.
“Without the support of our local American Legion the tremendous results we have seen from the implementation of this program would not be possible,” said Superintendent Jed Hamberger.
Character Education is the deliberate effort to help people understand, care about, and act upon core ethical values. Through the framework of the “Character Counts” program, the students of the Oswayo Valley School District are exposed to the six pillars of character to help instill the values of character — trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.
Besides emphasizing and promoting a focus on positive school climate, other defining elements of “Character Counts” are intensive decision-making strategies, mindfulness, growth mindset and behavioral change theories.
“Character Counts” practical strategies produce exceptional results in the academic, social, emotional and character development domains. “Character Counts” is a fully integrated student development framework that incorporates the most critical research findings and current theories from all major research and evidence-based strategies. “Character Counts” helps to infuse their central methods into the DNA of organizations and assist youth to reach their academic potential, to have the ability to succeed in school, to live happy, worthy and fulfilling personal lives, and become engaged, responsible and productive citizens.
The values of the American Legion and the six pillars of the “Character Counts” program coincide with each other, which makes for a great partnership opportunity between the Oswayo Valley School District and the Shinglehouse American Legion Post # 530, Hamberger said.
“Growing and promoting character within our students provides the possibility future generations to become productive, contributing members of society within their communities or while serving this great country within the armed forces,” he said.
Since its inception nearly 100 years ago, the Legion has been a stalwart champion of patriotic values, morals, culture and citizenship. The Legion’s pillar of Americanism embodies its devotion to law and order, the raising of wholesome youth, an educated and law-abiding citizenship, and respectful observance of patriotic holidays and remembrances.
