LA PLATA, Md. (April 26, 2010)—The Maryland Center for Character Education (MCCE) recently named Thomas Stone High School, located in Waldorf, as a 2010 Maryland Emerging School of Character.
The character education program recognizes schools that demonstrate outstanding character education programs that yield positive results in student behavior and academic performance. Criteria for character education awards include comprehensive character education initiatives implemented in the school community. During the past school year, Stone has implemented a student of the quarter recognition program in which students are recognized for excellence and improvement, and receive an accomplishment certificate.
The school has also implemented a yearlong class competition called “Battle of the Classes.” Students from each grade level compete with one another in areas such as monthly attendance, creating homecoming banners, participation in community service projects and semester grade point averages.
Stone also launched the Capturing Kids Hearts program in 2008, in which staff focus on creating personal, supportive connections with students in order to provide positive role models and nurturing relationships.
Stone was named a 2009 Maryland School of Character, and was a state nominee for the National School of Character award. Stone will be recognized this fall at the annual MCCE awards ceremony. The Maryland Schools of Character program is sponsored collaboratively through the MCCE, the Character Education Partnership and the Maryland State Department of Education.
Source: Charles County Public Schools