Cold Water Elementary Recognized for Its Character Building Techniques

Schools are known for teaching students in the academic and achievement realm, but sometimes recognition for their development students is welcome too.

Recently, Cold Water Elementary School in the Hazelwood School District received awards for its character education from the Character Education Partnership.

The school was recognized for two of its programs dedicated to character building, the Character Camp and Character Chess.

“We believe that teaching our students to have good character is just as important as academics,” Cold Water Principal Christa Warner said in a press release. “When students have a strong foundation of character education, they want to do their best and make the right choices. The character education component of their education will help our students be successful throughout their lives.”

Character Camp focuses on teaching students positive behavior traits, which also falls in line with the school’s Positive Behavior Interventions and Support. Character Chess relies on teaching students good positive character skills through playing the game of chess.

Principal Warner said that office referrals have decreased among students. According to a survey conducted by the school, approximately 70 percent of students responded that they feel like everyone treats everyone like family at school.

“It is exciting for us to know what we are doing is meaningful to our students,” said Warner. “Our goal is for our students to one day be able to attend Cold Water Elementary as a National School of Character, and these awards are indicators we are on the right track.”