Mantua Township is a small rural town located in southern New Jersey, about 30 minutes outside of Philadelphia. Students in our township attend one of three neighborhood schools, pre-K through sixth grade. Sewell School educates students in grades pre-K to K, Centre City School educates students in Grades 1 to 3, and our J. Mason Tomlin School educates all of the township’s students in Grades 4 to 6. Mantua Township School District is a predominantly White district serving more than 1,200 students with approximately 15% of our population qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
The climate and culture of Mantua Township School District is one in which students, teachers and faculty live the principles and virtues taught in our character education classes which are integrated into all of our academic and social programs. Because of shared leadership throughout our school district, along with a balanced and inclusive character education approach, community involvement is standard and our partnerships are celebrated.
Shared Leadership
The Mantua Township School District’s shared leadership approach begins with Superintendent Dr. Robert Fisicaro, a vibrant leader fully supportive of the character education initiative. He involves all staff members and the board of education in this effort. Beginning with new employee interviews, we seek a clear commitment to character education and take it into consideration for all candidates. With the support of the board of education, the district’s mission statement was revised to prioritize comprehensive academics, community partnerships, and character education as the primary tenets of the school district.
One positive outcome of the shared leadership approach is the district’s Character Council which was established 4 years ago. The Character Council is comprised of administrators, guidance counselors, teachers, cafeteria workers, secretaries, and the superintendent. Council members are selected based on their positive attitude and commitment to character education, and they serve for 2-year terms. The Council meets monthly to reflect on the program, discuss curriculum, plan community events, and organize service projects. Schools hold monthly character education meetings to discuss class lesson ideas, participate in character education activities, and share best practices. The council has established partnerships with national leaders in character education, such as Scarlett Lewis of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement, Houston Kraft of CharacterStrong, and Gene Miller of CITRS. The district also collaborates at the state level with the New Jersey Alliance for Social, Emotional, and Character Development.
Mantua Township School District principals play an integral role in promoting character education. Teachers’ schedules are designed to include two 30-minute blocks per week devoted to character education. Monthly character-based lessons or discussions are incorporated into classroom lessons during this time. Students participate in action-based lessons, take part in Jesse Lewis Choose Love exercises, or hold discussions pertaining to the district’s principles and virtues. “Although we can’t always choose what happens to us, we can always choose how to respond. Children can learn to choose a loving thought over an angry one. When a child realizes that they have the power to positively impact themselves as well as those around them, it is empowering and perpetuates their positive actions and interactions,” said Scarlett Lewis, founder of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement. Students and staff who display positive character traits are acknowledged and celebrated through announcements or newsletters.
A Balanced and Inclusive Approach
The Mantua Township School District offers an environment that balances the achievements of students with sharing responsibility for character education. The district emphasizes both performance and moral character attributes as part of a balanced approach to emphasizing self-awareness, self-management, interpersonal skills, civic engagement, and service learning. Staff members adhere to the same core values that guide their students. The district’s professional core belief is that its actions and words should always maintain the dignity and respect of both students and adults. For example, teachers are expected to display a positive attitude during arrival by greeting all students as they enter the room. Staff members can be seen providing social and emotional support in the cafeteria and on the playground. In the “reset and reflect room,” you will find an area unlike any classroom in our building. Bamboo floors and calming colors create a soothing atmosphere where students have opportunities to participate in self-regulation and mindfulness/movement activities such as yoga, martial arts, and pet therapy. The room is located in a quiet corridor, with easy access for all.
Parents regularly confirm the impact teachers have on their students through letters, emails and surveys. For example, in our recent winter newsletter, the following letter was shared:
I wanted to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for Mrs. Joanne Spicer, our son’s preschool teacher. Without Mrs. Spicer and her continued, tireless determination and effort, there is absolutely no way that our son would have made as much progress as he has. She is, without question, the most dedicated and gifted early childhood educator that I have had the experience to meet. We are forever grateful that our son has had the privilege to be taught by such a passionate and enthusiastic educational leader. Miss Joanne has given our family such hope and optimism for the capabilities and expectations of our first born, and we can’t thank her enough for that. I remember being brought to tears last year at the sight of our son walking on stage at the end of year Closing Ceremony. The growth and the experience that he has shown gives us such hope for his educational future, and this brief message does not even begin to scratch the surface of what she means to our family. We want to sincerely thank her for everything she does for our family and the families in this community.
Equally important in our children’s lives are the daily interactions our children have with their bus drivers. The following letter was recently shared with our superintendent:
I would like to take the time to thank my son’s bus driver, Ms. Dawn Stevenson. My son was recently struggling with another young man on the bus who sat near him. He had been coming home asking my husband and I if we could drive him to and from school so that he didn’t have to take the bus. We explained to him that we could not and encouraged him to stand up for himself and, if needed, speak to Ms. Stevenson about what is happening. A few days ago, I noticed, as my son left the bus, that Ms. Stevenson quietly pulled him aside and spoke to him before he walked off. When I asked him what was said, he explained to me that he talked to her, and she was going to help him. The next day he came home and told me that his seat had been moved and he felt a lot better about his bus ride. While this sounds like a minor thing, as a parent it was so wonderful to know that my son speaking out for himself was so positively rewarded and encouraged by Ms. Stevenson listening to him and then helping him. She could have very easily ignored his request, but she didn’t. Her thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated, and my 6-year-old is happier because of it!
Students are essential to the success of the character education program. Through leadership roles such as Helping Hands, Student Council, and H.O.O.P.L.A. (Hopeful, Outstanding, Outgoing, Playful, Loving, Achieving), students have an opportunity to show leadership and model a standard of behavior that fosters a safe and respectful school community. Students work together to initiate fundraising events or service learning projects, while exemplifying character education traits to their peers. Each December, H.O.O.P.L.A. students help organize a schoolwide event to collect pajamas for needy families in the community. This year, because of the generosity of so many involved, the students exceeded their collection goal. Students involved in H.O.O.P.L.A. understand the impact they may have on others. For example, during recess, students might serve as peer mediators for their classmates. Students who may be having problems with friends or other students can seek the guidance of a H.O.O.P.L.A. representative. The climate and culture of Mantua Township School District is one in which students, teachers and faculty live the principles and virtues taught in our character education classes.
Engaging our Community
The Mantua Township School District offers families and community members unique opportunities to collaborate and share ideas in character-building efforts. Annual building-based pep rallies create excitement and promote school spirit, while highlighting and celebrating the district’s core values. Police officers, firefighters, township committee officials, school board representatives, Parent Teacher Organizations members and school staff members participate in these events to demonstrate their commitment to character education. Former students and staff members are also invited to the schools to display their commitment to the school community. Events like these provide a platform to recognize the importance of social and emotional learning, as well as the importance of a school community.
The district’s guidance counselors, vice principal, and a master teacher offer monthly “Parents as Partners” workshops where parenting strategies are shared to help parents support the social and emotional growth of their children. A local fast food restaurant, Wendy’s, partnered with the district on this initiative to provide free dinner to attendees, and free child care is provided by local high school students. Scarlett Lewis, the mom of Jesse Lewis who was tragically killed in the Sandy Hook massacre, visited our district to share her choose love message with staff, parents and community members. Local law enforcement officers have been invited to share their vision and strategies for promoting a safe learning environment. Facilitators also share virtue lessons with parents to help guide their children through difficult life situations while adhering to the district’s core values.
Parents and community members are key contributors to the character education initiative. At the start of each school year, the district collaborates and hosts an assembly to celebrate character education. The school community, along with parents and local dignitaries, comes together as a family to celebrate character education. The district’s values and virtues are expressed and reviewed through games, music and fun. Parent Teacher Organization members, board of education representatives, cafeteria staff and teachers may be seen parading through the gymnasium with signs displaying our character education beliefs. The district hosts an annual Veteran’s Day assembly and luncheon which provide students and faculty an opportunity to honor those who have served. Each November, third and fourth grade students are encouraged to invite a very important person to a “V.I.P. Dance.” Funds raised from this event benefit Mantua Township’s local K-9 unit. A special day is designated in December for students to wear pajamas, while raising money for The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
The school year culminates with a “Big Night Out” event which is celebrated in June. Students, families, staff members, local businesses and community members recognize the district’s core values through various games and festivities. Activities are planned around our character education theme, and local businesses are encouraged to share information with brochures or displays highlighting their work. Children might take part in a simple activity such as bracelet making to display “love” or “respect,” while others practice “perseverance” through our splash and dash water run. It is during this districtwide event that the entire school district and community are truly celebrated and connected.
Conclusion
The Mantua Township School District’s approach truly emphasizes the principles of integrity, excellence, compassion, innovation, perseverance, respect, community, and gratitude as core values to guide who we are and what we aspire to be as a school community. A robust commitment to social and emotional learning comes from a dedicated staff and strong community partnerships. The Mantua Township School District prides itself on instilling lifelong virtues in students and staff members.
