Charter school teaches students smarter decisions

By Sarah Schuch

Edited by Meredeth Mayberry, Amanda Crabtree and Kelly Morse

Morey Public School Academy is participating in a program called Smart Character Choices this year, designed as a four-year federal study to teach positive characteristics.

“The goal is to increase safety in schools and to increase respect,” said Stacey Graham, school counselor at Morey.

Graham said the foundation for this program is building relations with students.

Characteristics, such as respect, responsibility, kindness, work ethics and optimism are emphasized, she said.

Posters are hung throughout the school listing bathroom, hallway, emergency and classroom procedures.

Graham said the posters help to meet the goal of students being able to keep up with the demands of curriculum.

“They have a clear expectation on how their day is going to be,” she said. “Students need structure in their day.”

Morey is one of 10 schools around Michigan to participate in this program, according to Diane Vance, director of Smart Character Choices.

Vance said students are taught character through individuals in American history. They look at the good and bad character traits and how they affected events in U.S. history.

“Oftentimes character is not something that is emphasized in the home,” she said.

Their first goal is to help develop really strong and positive relationships with students, Vance said.

Jane Martin, second grade teacher, implements the positive characteristics in her classroom through group activities. It brings a lot of students together and makes them not think of themselves as individuals, she said.

Martin’s class created a classroom constitution, where the students shared the rules they wanted on the list. The rules were then turned into positive statements, she said. Instead of having the rule “Don’t run” the constitution said “Remember to always walk.”

All of the students signed the constitution and could refer back to it if someone was breaking the rules.

“Most of it is what you would normally do but with a positive spin on it,” Martin said.

The program is in its beginning stages this year, but next year John Erwin, director of training and curriculum development, will come to the school and start observing. He will then be able to give some advice and feedback.

Starting next year, elementary and middle school students will have morning meetings, where they share stories, sing songs or get to know each other to provide a transition in the day.

High school students will have classroom meetings, Graham said.

Graham is hoping the program will result in less bullying and harassment.

“What we’re hoping for is through Smart Character Choices that we see a shift in behaviors,” Graham said.