Twelve Ogden School District educators attended workshops at Drake University in Des Moines July 13-17 to learn concepts of Smart & Good Schools, a new project of Character Counts! In Iowa. Ogden High School will be one of five Iowa high schools to serve as pilot sites for this research-based program.
"Because of the extensive work that we have done with our Character Education programs in the Ogden Community School District, when approached if the district would like to participate in this national project, we said 'absolutely,'" stated Ogden Schools Superintendent Bill Roederer. "We feel very honored and excited that we were chosen by the organization to participate in this national research-based program. "We have been at the forefront with our Character Development programs in Ogden for the past eight years. We are always looking at ways to continue to improve the culture of our school district. We were looking for something that our high school students could become actively involved in and being a part of this national study fits our needs perfectly."
"The Smart & Good approach seeks to provide character-based solutions to some of our most pressing problems in schools and communities," said Scott Raecker, executive director of Character Counts! In Iowa, "including high dropout rates, lack of student engagement, and deficiencies in skills required in the 21st Century workplace."
Smart & Good supplements Character Counts at middle and high schools, and strives to develop strengths of character that contribute to productive, ethical and fulfilling lives. Students will develop skills such as thinking outside of the box, establishing productive and positive relationships, identifying and managing priorities, serving a cause greater than self, seeking a healthy life balance, having a go-to ethical code and striving for excellence.
"We have outstanding young people in our school district who want to reach their full potential, said Roederer. It is our duty as leaders of the district to provide them with opportunities so they may reach their potential. We believe being a part of this project will put our students a step ahead of others their age."
"We also believe Smart & Good integrates excellence (our best work) and ethics (our best self) into all aspects of life and provides useful tools for any business to attract and keep valuable employees," said Raecker. "We are eager to introduce Ogden to this new approach to character development."
To learn more about Smart & Good Iowa, you may contact Character Counts! In Iowa at 515-271-1910 or visit CharacterCountsInIowa.org. The educators who attended the July workshops were: Terri Bohr, John Casey, Linda Dutcher, Rich Dutcher, Helen Eddy, Marissa Erickson, Jan Froning, Teresa Kemp, Jason Noble, Rick Gustafson, Jerry Wilson, and Bill Roederer.
PHOTO ID: (Lead photo): Among those attending the Character Count workshop were front row, left to right, Marissa Erickson, Terri Bohr, Helen Eddy, Linda Dutcher. Back row, Principal Rick Gustafson, Principal Jerry Wilson, Jason Noble, Supt. Bill Roederer.
Second photo: Attending the Character Counts workshop in Des Moines were front row, left to right, Principal Jerry Wilson, Teresa Kemp, Rick Dutcher, Dave Larsen, Jan Froning, Principal Rick Gustafson.
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