In 1995, the Alabama Legislature passed a law that makes it mandatory that 10 minutes of character education be taught daily in every k-12 school. For over a decade the non-profit group Character @ Heart has provided teachers and parents with information and training to help fulfill that charge and helping our students and their families understand the importance of good character.
This wonderful group is in 135 schools in 19 counties. In addition to helping schools with lesson plans and materials for character education, the group helps students learn good manners and work on community service projects. This year many of those projects revolved around helping the victims of the tornados in Elmore, Tuscaloosa and Jefferson counties.

Character education does make a difference. We have seen decreases in office referrals, suspension and absenteeism in schools.
But like most things in education, the first and best teacher is a child’s parent. That is especially true in matters of character. As we begin a new school year, please talk to your child about good citizenship, the Golden Rule, sharing, honesty, and all of the elements that determine a child’s character.

Look for examples in your family, in the news, in books, movies, and TV of “doing the right thing.” Discuss them and how you and your child might have reacted in the same situation. Find ways to show your child by example that character does matter.
If you would like to know more about Character @ Heart, please contact Director Pam Morgan at 334-272-4276.

With love, understanding, friendship, and good communication, we will continue to get closer to Dr. King’s dream of ensuring that our wealth as a person is only judged by what is in our hearts.