CHAPTICO, Md. (Feb. 11, 2008) - The St. Mary's County Public School System (SMCPS) today announced that the Dynard Elementary School has been named as a 2008 Maryland School of Character (MD SSOC) by the Maryland Center for Character Education (MCCE) and the Character Education Partnership. The MD SSOC awards program recognizes a school or district for its outstanding school climate and academic performance.
Dynard Elementary, under the leadership of Principal Kim Summers, won this award twice at the county level, but this is the first time the school has won at the state level. Dynard now advances to the national level with 24 other schools from around the country. Ten of the 25 schools will be named National Character Education School of the Year. This designation includes a $20,000 award.
SMCPS officials say character education helps schools support the home by fostering personal and civic virtues such as respect for self, empathy for others, a sense of self-discipline and responsibility, personal integrity, trust, fairness, courage, and love of learning.
The Maryland SSOC winners were chosen by a panel of independent reviewers who have been involved in character education and student development for many years.
A formal presentation of the state level award will be made to Dynard Elementary during the MCCE awards luncheon in September 2008.
For more information, visit the MCCE online at http://mdctrcharacter.org/ .