NEWS RELEASES 2006-07

STATE SCHOOLS OF CHARACTER HONORED AT CEREMONY

The inaugural winners of the North Carolina Schools of Character Awards were honored Wednesday in a ceremony at the NC Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh.

State Board of Education Chairman Howard Lee awarded plaques to representatives of top winner D.F. Walker Elementary (Edenton-Chowan) and runners-up Devonshire Elementary (Charlotte-Mecklenburg) and South Newton Elementary (Newton-Conover).

Chairman Lee made a few remarks to guests from several different North Carolina schools with character education programs, recalling the lessons his grandfather taught him as a child.

"We know that the things we do and say around children will have a lasting impact on their lives," he said.

Modeled after the nine-year-old National Schools of Character (NSOC) Awards, the State Schools of Character (SSOC) Awards recognize schools with exemplary character education programs at the state level.

NCDPI established a pilot program of the Awards in North Carolina last year with a $6,000 grant from the John Templeton Foundation.

In December 13 schools submitted portfolios to NCDPI to be considered for the Awards:

• B.H. Tharrington Primary (Mount Airy Schools)
• Cornatzer Elementary (Davie County)
• Devonshire Elementary (Charlotte-Mecklenburg)
• D.F. Walker Elementary Edenton-Chowan)
• East Robeson Primary (Robeson County)
• Green Valley Elementary (Watauga County)
• Pine Valley Elementary (New Hanover County)
• Richlands Primary (Onslow County)
• Rosenwald Elementary (Robeson County)
• South Newton Elementary (Newton-Conver Schools)
• Union Academy Charter (Monroe/Union County)
• Williams Township School (Columbus County)
• Winter Park Elementary (New Hanover County)