(Gloucester Township) – The Camden County Technical School (CCTS) District is pleased to announce that Somerdale Park School in Somerdale, NJ, was selected as having the most outstanding Middle School Character Education program in Camden County. The staff and students were presented with the award and two checks totaling $500, to be used toward funding a future character education program, during a Faculty/Professional Learning Community Meeting (PLC) on February 7.
“Somerdale Park exemplifies the following six pillars of character education with enthusiasm and pride: respect, trustworthiness, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship,” said Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to Camden County Technical Schools.
This award is co-sponsored by the Camden County Board of Freeholders, Camden County College, and Camden County Technical Schools (CCTS).
“Character education reinforces core values needed for success in the workforce, college, and in life,” said Patricia Fitzgerald, Superintendent of CCTS. “The two campuses of CCTS received recognition as National Schools of Character as well as New Jersey Schools of Character and it is our pleasure to co-sponsor and coordinate the Camden County Middle School of Character award.”
Somerdale Park’s application included examples of activities that were fun and engaging while promoting and building character such as Kind is the New Cool, Random Acts of Kindness, and Buddy Bench. In addition, they established a new Diversity Club to provide students a safe forum to discuss social differences such as race, gender, and/or sexual orientation.
According to Robert Ford, Vice Principal at Somerdale Park School, “Somerdale Park implements the Renaissance Program to recognize positive behavior, attendance and academic achievement. We also celebrate these achievements during Week of Respect and Red Ribbon Week.”
Schools receiving 2017-2018 Honorable Mentions for their Character Education programs include: Alice Costello Elementary School, Ann A. Mullen Middle School, Bell Oaks Middle School, Berlin Community School, Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School, Mary E. Volz School, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional School, Samuel S. Yellin, School, St. Joseph Pro-Cathedral School, William G. Rohrer Middle School, Winslow Township Middle School, Woodland Middle School, and Woodlynne Public School.