SWEDESBORO — The General Charles G. Harker School has been selected as a 2021 New Jersey State School of Character.
Each year the New Jersey Alliance for Social, Emotional, and Character Development (NJASECD) certifies schools and districts at the state level that demonstrate a dedicated focus on character development which has a positive effect on academic achievement, student behavior, and school climate.
Because of Swedesboro-Woolwich School District’s dedication to support character, social, and emotional development, the Harker School has been designated and certified as a 2021 School of Character.
Criteria for selection are based on Character.org’s 11 Principles of Character which include providing students with opportunities for moral action, fostering shared leadership, and engaging families and communities as partners in the character-building effort. The Harker School was recognized in its application for implementing “promising practices” and strategies that could help other schools.
SWSD Superintendent, Dr. Kristin O’Neil says, “We believe our students lead by example with the ways in which character education can have a positive and lasting impact on the learning environment and community.” Dr. O’Neil continues, “Hard work pays off, and we are so proud of our students, staff, and administration!”
“With character education, our students are developing and learning lifelong skills they will use throughout their lives,” adds SWSD’s Chief Academic Officer, Mrs. Jamie Flick.
Through school culture and curriculum, the New Jersey Schools of Character Program help students develop and apply core values that will serve them as they grow into the leaders who will soon shape our world.
In 2020, the General Charles G. Harker School was recognized at Rider University’s virtual recognition ceremony, for earning two Character.Org Promising Practices and achieving the designation of Honorable Mention as a State School of Character. CHS representatives were also invited to attend the 2020 Character.org National Forum this upcoming March.
To learn more about General Charles G. Harker School or the Swedesboro-Woolwich School District, visit www.swedesboro-woolwich.com.
