• New character education program underway at South Barber
PK-6 Grade Counselor Adam Maloney stands by the bulletin board promoting friendship for the month of September. This is part of the new Character Program at South Barber to teach students some core essential values in life. The theme changes monthly.
These students were "caught doing something good" at the South Barber Elementary School. This is part of the new Character Program implemented this year. Each week students "caught doing good" are rewarded. (From left, back row) Cort Blunk, Lily Schurter, Autumn Drake, Aydan Bryan; (front row) Carra Beaman, Keagan McMurray, Tate Dunn, Jancey Goodno, Fiona Walz, Trilbey Dorsey.
Don't yell at your child if the first word of their mouth when coming home after school is "I got caught." In fact, children are hoping their teachers catch them doing something good. Your child will be praised and receive a certificate for showing an act of kindness to someone at school.
This is part of the new character program implemented this year at South Barber Schools in Kiowa, Kansas. Guidance counselor and academic coach Adam Maloney at the pre-K-6 building said the character program teaches students core essentials.
"It's all about selflessness and consideration for others," Maloney said.
"The Big Three" Maloney listed are treating others with kindness, making smart decisions, and maximizing your potential.
Junior/senior counselor and teacher Tim Rector heads the character program at that level.
Each month the character program focuses on one value. They started with the value of respect in August followed by friendship in September. This month creativity is the subject. Other core essentials to come this school year are gratitude, generosity, commitment, kindness, peace and honesty.
Maloney visits each elementary classroom every week for 30 minutes. Each time he shows a video pertaining to the value, followed by student discussion. He reads relevant children's books. For example, he read "The Invisible Boy," which he said shows how one person can make a difference in someone's life.
Maloney said the kids like to hear quotes from famous people that go with the theme of the month.
"We're trying to meet the social and emotional needs of our kids," Maloney said.
This is Maloney's 15th year in education. A 1999 graduate of Protection High School, he's taught special education 10 years and came to teach at South Barber this year from his job as principal at the Sharon Learning Center. He and his wife Ashley reside in Medicine Lodge where she is in early childhood education. They have two elementary age children.
Rector Implements Character Program at Jr/Sr High School
Rector said for the older students they use resources at their level. He also uses videos, questions, role-playing scenarios, and other activities to allow students to understand what these character traits are and why they are important now and in the future.
At the Jr/Sr High School, Rector said the character program is part of their Career, Academic and Personal Success (CAPS) program. Rector said the career focus uses a program called Career Cruising that allows students to analyze their own interests and abilities and discover careers that match them. This program also helps students with financial aid/planning and college search. The academic time allows students to receive extra help from teachers in classes or on work that is a struggle for them.
The personal portion of CAPS is where the character education program is located. Rector said the curriculum is from Core Essentials.
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