MRH named a 2018 State School of Character

Maplewood Richmond Heights Elementary School has been honored as a 2018 State School of Character by the Character Education Partnership. MRH Elementary is one of only 65 schools nationwide to receive this recognition, according to a press release from the school.

Several of the initiatives that contributed to MRHE receiving this recognition are:

• The MRHE Way, “Who We Are and What We Do” – Common language across the school that encourages respect, responsibility, empathy, perseverance, cooperation, and honesty.
• Home Visit Program – Teachers arrange for and then visit the homes of MRH students. Usually in the evenings, they meet with parents or guardians to better understand the dynamics the child brings with him or her to the classroom.
• Multi-Age Communities – Small groups of students in grades 3-6 that meet regularly throughout the school year. Students enter the Multi-Age Community in 3rd grade and continue with the same group through 6th grade.  During their time together, students participate in community building experiences.
• Class Meetings – Within their homeroom class, teachers and students facilitate class meetings to check-in, problem solve, and engage in academics.
• Broadcast – 6th grade students produce, direct, and anchor the Broadcast program which airs each morning to start the school day.

“We appreciate being recognized by the Character Education Partnership,” said Dr. Jason Adams, principal of MRHE.

“One of the really exciting aspects is the feedback we receive from experts in the field related to building community in schools. We are excited to learn from the feedback in an effort to continue exploring how we can support our students and their families.”

Through this work, MRHE will continue to explore restorative practices, and district bus drivers will be participating in the WHEELS program, a learning experience designed to support bus drivers in building community on the school bus.

Photos courtesy MRH.