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For the past four years, Sacred Heart School, Young
stown has been implementing a character develop-
ment program called Wise Skills. This program for Grades K-6 addresses eight character themes that include: positive attitude, respect, responsibility, self-discipline, relationships, personal goals, citizenship, and conflict resolution.
For the 2005-2006 school year the faculty, parents, and students will work on respect in the fall and responsibility in the spring. Sacred Heart School administration and faculty designed the program so there would be something for everyone. Speakers, in-services and professional reading material keep the teachers updated. Articles in the monthly school newsletter, speakers, and character quotes provide parents with ideas and suggestions on how they can build character at home. Discussions, projects and activities across the curriculum expose the children to each theme in very engaging ways.
Representatives from ParentWISE, Inc., St. Vincent Prevention Projects, and Catholic Charities have been instrumental in providing in-services and materials that are shared with teachers and parents. The four-member visiting team from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools was amazed at how creative the faculty was in integrating the character themes in all content areas, how the materials had been used, and the positive response they observed among teachers, parents, and students.
Sacred Heart School in Youngstown is now registering students for the 2005-2006 school year. It is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 10-1.
Sacred Heart School provides before-and after school programs through the YWCA, three programs for pre-school children, and an optional all-day kindergarten. Graduates move easily into any area junior high school. To arrange a visit to “the school with a heart” call 724-539-5561. |
