HALIFAX AREA

SCHOOL DISTRICT

Character Education“The Discovery Process”

to Discover

A Place

and AchieveourBest

4/28/2015

Located in Central Pennsylvania

Halifax

Halifax Area Schools

4 schools

K-1, 2-5, 6-8, 9-12

90 students per grade

101 teachers

Halifax Middle School 252 students

24 teachers + 9 support staff members

Halifax High School 356 students

33 teachers + 9 support

About Halifax Rural community

In the Susquehanna River Valley

15 miles North of Harrisburg

Character Education Through the Discovery Process

Why we began!

Halifax Middle School decided to design a culture:

That would promote what good parents have taught their children at home.

That would promote positive peer pressure among students.

To change this culture:

• To change this culture, we would have to change student behaviors.• To change behaviors, we would have to change student attitudes.• To change attitudes, we would have to change what students think

about.

We Realized:

• Every school has an ethos or culture.• This culture is created by default or design.• Too often a school culture is established and maintained through negative

peer pressure.

Character Education Through the Discovery Process

How we got started!

Based our program on the Hyde School Model in Maine

• School Board and Superintendent Support

• Read Joe Gauld’s book, Character First, The Hyde School Approach

• Parent+Community Meetings• 10 Teachers Visited Hyde

School

• Tailored Program for Halifax Middle School

• Teacher In Service Days

• Continued to Assess and Build

• Multi-Age Discovery Groups :• MS groups consist of approximately five each of 6th, 7th, and 8th

graders• HS groups consist of approximately four each of 9th, 10th, 11th ,and

12th graders

Four Divisions (N, S, E, W)

The Discovery ProcessOverview

• Promote a positive school environment through a highly organized character development program.

• Groups meet with Discovery Teacher• MS: 10 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the

afternoon.• HS: 30 minutes before or after lunch.

4 Divisions consisting of 5 Discovery Groups work in unison on:• Seminars and Discussions• Intramurals• Performing Arts• Community and School Service• School-Wide Jobs• Team Building Activities• Clubs

The Discovery ProcessOverview

Cycle Day North South East West

1 Intramurals PA or Team Building Seminar/Discussion Outside

2 PA or Team Building Intramurals Outside Seminar/Discussion

3 Outside Seminar/Discussion Intramural PA or Team Building

4 Seminar/Discussion Outside PA or Team Building Intramurals

5 Seminar/Discussion Seminar/Discussion Seminar/Discussion Seminar/Discussion

6 Club Club Club Club

FIVE

GUIDING PRINCIPLES(ADOPTED FROM THE HYDE SCHOOLS)

Destiny

Humility

Conscience

Truth

Brother’s Keeper

Discovery Key Words(Adopted from the Hyde Schools and Lickona’s4th and 5th Rs.)

Courage to accept

challenges

Integrity to be true to

ourselves

Concern for others

Curiosity to explore life and

learning

Leadership in making

the school and community work

Respect for our

environment, others and ourselves

Responsibility for

our actions

The Discovery ProcessOverview

Cycle Day

North South East West

1 Intramurals PA or Team Building

Seminar/Discussion Outside

2 PA or Team Building

Intramurals Outside Seminar/Discussion

3 Outside Seminar/Discussion Intramural PA or Team Building

4 Seminar/Discussion Outside PA or Team Building

Intramurals

5 Seminar/Discussion Seminar/Discussion Seminar/Discussion Seminar/Discussion

6 Club Club Club Club

Seminars

Discussions and seminars focus on character building concepts.

Teacher guided; student driven. “Draw out, Don’t Dump In.”

Guidelines are defined. Students respond to short-answer questions. Any student may speak his/her mind about the issue

or topic. All shall be heard without interruption or judgment. Utilize the Action/Reflection Cycle.

Intramurals Everyone participates. Opportunity for all.

Sportsmanship and cooperation are our primary goals. We are supportive and encouraging.

Modified volleyball, handball, basketball, and kickball are favorite activities.

We are not all gifted athletes, but we strive to give our personal best.

Push ourselves beyond our comfort zone.

Action/Reflection Cycle

School-Wide Jobs

Remove scuff marks in halls

Put up chairs in cafeteria

Sweep entrances

Dust locker tops

Mop hallways

Clean windows

Classroom clean- up

Sanitize Desks

Performing Arts All students in each Discovery Group

are responsible to participate in two performances with the student body and community: Annual Veteran’s Day Tribute and Talent Show

Everyone participates. Opportunity for all.

We are supportive and encouraging.

We are not all gifted actors, dancers, or musicians, but we strive to give our personal best.

Push ourselves beyond our comfort zone.

Community Service Activities

Collection for Charitable Organizations Food and clothing drives Community clean ups Assisting at the local food bank Create posters for school or community events Spirit Days Letters to veterans Earth Day grocery bags Crafts and potted plants for nursing homes Visits to nursing homes

Team

Building

Activities

Cooperation

Teamwork

Perseverance

Destiny-Each of us is gifted with a unique potential that defines a destiny.

Humility-We trust in a power and purpose beyond ourselves.

Conscience-We achieve our best by an inner sense of right and wrong.

Truth-Fact and reality is our primary guide. Brother’s Keeper-We help others achieve their best.

Courage-to accept and face new challenges. Integrity-to be truly themselves while acting in sound

moral character. Concern-for others. Curiosity-to explore life and learning. Leadership-in making the school and community a better

place. Respect-for the environment, others, and ourselves. Responsibility-and accountability for our actions.

Discovery Process

Principles and Key Words

Maintain positive thoughts

Is this Your Best?

Truth is our primary guide.

Are you following the Golden Rule?

Are you acting as a Brother’s Keeper?

Are you being a Leader?

What is your Conscience telling you?

Our actions affect others!

You can’t control other people, but you can control yourself.

We need to “Clear the Decks” to deal with issues.

What is discussed in the Discovery Room, STAYS in the Discovery Room. (This is true to a large extent to protect the

feelings of those involved; however, there are important exceptions such as when a person is threatening to harm

himself or another.

Leave a place better than you found it.

Are you part of the solution or part of the problem?

It is natural to feel “fear or anger,” but it is better to respond through “compassion or concern.”

Will my words or actions make the situation better or worse?

We all have a purpose in life. When we are “on purpose,” our words and actions make the world a better place.

All kids want to do the right thing.

Most parents are teaching right and wrong. Why are the expectations any different at school?

Do what is right, not what is cool.

Character is what you say and do when no one else is looking.

Discovery ProcessCommon Language

Atmosphere of “community” within school

Students feel more included and have a sense of connection to the school and to one another.

Students are demonstrating better coping skills in their day-to-day interactions with both other students and adults.

There is better rapport between younger and older students.

6th graders look up to 7th and 8th graders rather than fear them.

7th and 8th graders rise to expectations that they are to be positive role models and leaders.

How We Know It Works

How We Know It Works

Positive peer pressure has developed.

Students hold one another accountable.

Better rapport between students and teachers

Early morning contact with Discovery teacher and Discovery Group helps to ground students for the day and gives them an outlet to resolve problems that may have occurred in school or at home.

Students demonstrate greater pride in our school.

Almost no graffiti or vandalism

How We Know It Works

Fewer failures

Because students are encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings with their Discovery Group, many students are able to use these skills to better communicate with their parents.

Fewer discipline referrals for negative behavior

Zero physical fights since the program began

4/28/2015 22

123

19

107

1

78

0

27

1

22

6.5

60.5

4

41.5

12

32

3

21

2

19

1

1995-1996 1996-1997 1997-1998 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005

Annual Discipline Totals

Total Days of ISS

Total Days of OSS

How We Know It Works

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

ISD Days Served

OSS Days Served

How We Know It Works

By encouraging students to give their best at everything they do, we feel character education helps drive academic performance.

Since all 6th, 7th, and 8th graders began Pennsylvania State Testing in reading and mathematics, we saw the following percentage gains in students scoring Proficient or Advanced:

Reading Mathematics

2006-2007 72 % 69 %2007-2008 72 % 70 %2008-2009 77 % 74 %2009-2010 77 % 76 %2010-2011 80 % 80 %

How We Know It Works

Recognized in 2001 as a National School of Character

Program was recognized for Educational Excellence at 2010 PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference

Recognized in 2011 by the Shippensburg University School Study Council for sustaining an Exemplary Program

Various visitors continue to view the Discovery Process:

1. Local School Districts2. Local Media

http://www.abc27.com/video?clipId=6293223&autostart=true3. Pennsylvania Department of Education4. Pennsylvania Middle School Association5. Guests from Singapore6. Feature article in Taiwanese Parent Magazine7. Dr. Thomas Lickona and Dr. Ryota Yaginuma (Japan)

How We Know It Works

Our Testimonials

Truth is the Norm. Brother’s Keeper is Followed!

1.Mr. Hassinger-vending machine story2.Mr. Hassinger-probation student helping at locker3.Mr. Milbrand-school dance story

How We Know It Works

Our Teachers Speak

“ Even after students have been in the high

school for several years, they still come

back to my Discovery group to talk to me

and meet with my new students. They make

it a point that Discovery is important.”

A Halifax Middle School Teacher

“ I know our Discovery Program has an

impact on our students. At the end of the

year I watch 6th and 7th graders give farewell

handshakes, high fives, and even hugs to our

departing 8th graders.”

A Halifax Middle School Teacher

“ I noticed that there was a dramatic difference

in the behavior of the Halifax Middle School

students-positive difference-compared to other

schools where I substituted.”

A Halifax Middle School

Substitute Teacher

How We Know It Works

Our Students Speak

“The Discovery Group is like an extended family.” “We are taught to accept people for who they are and because of that we don’t fight.”“Teachers are more open with kids. We can tell teachers how we feel, and we talk about issues and the world.”“Our teachers respect us.”“We learn to be ourselves and make our own choices.”“Discovery helps Halifax be a nicer town.”

How We Know It Works

Our Students Speak

The students in our school:

… learned how to work with other students and team work. … have become closer. … have become more respectful of the teachers. … stay out of trouble and help other people become better students. … are more responsible and caring and not mean and rude. … have been acting a little different and a little nicer. … are getting better at being a brother’s keeper and a good sport. I

think we are improving. … are responsible and are kinder to people they meet or aren’t very

good friends with. … think more about each other and help each other out.

How We Know It Works

Our Students Speak

I have become:

…more respectful and more helpful to the students in Discovery and everybody else. I have become nicer since we have been talking about things since we have been doing different activities.

…a little better at saying what I feel and want to be. I like having intramurals. My favorite word is destiny.

…independent and responsible and I have begun to make new friends.

…more considerate of other people. I look at situations differently. …more responsible and respectful. …more tolerant. I have become better at working with people. …kinder and I share things more. …a better person all around. I’ve learned how to help out more and

what I can do to help out ones in need. …a better brother’s keeper.

Character

What you say and do

when no one else is

looking.

Contact Us:

Robert Hassinger:(717) 648-6879

Rick Ansel:anselr@hasd.us(717)896-4052

Dave Hatfieldhatfieldd@hasd.us

(717)896-4051

A Placeto Discover

and AchieveourBest