Ogdensburg school implements character education plan
OGDENSBURG — The Ogdensburg Borough School Board of Education was implemented to new character assessment classes for all the district's students on Saturday, Nov. 8.
School Supervisor of Instruction Michelle Telischak recently installed the plan and runs monthly character trait lessons in the classrooms for students in pre-K through fourth grade. These lessons relate to a picture book pertaining to the character trait.
Telischak also runs bi-monthly character education lessons during lunches for grades 5-8. Usually Telischak said she shows a relevant video clip and a PowerPoint presentation. The lessons' purpose is to support the students in becoming as introspective as possible. Telischak said personal reflection is necessary for developing lifelong good character.
Board of Education member Mary Fitzgibbons said she recently attended a Board of Education convention along with school board President Ricardo Rojas, where the first session she attended was on character-assessment building. She shared at the convention that Telischak and Assistant Principal Stephanie Bonaparte already were teaching these classes and complimented the school on its advanced programs.
Bonaparte also discussed a positive discipline plan, which includes various rewards for students.
Grade-level awards were given to students who met these goals. Bonaparte said she went into each classroom and set goals with the students. Some of the classroom rewards are prizes, movie passes for eighth-graders, homework passes, stickers, and surprise lunches with teachers.
There was a surprise “ice pop” day for all students who achieved positive behaviors and goals.
Superintendent Ernest Palestis said “we want to teach positive behavior to make the students effective, healthy and do the right thing.”
Palestis also shared that in the next few years the children will be safer, stronger, and realize their positive behavior is rewarded. He also congratulated the staff on their “excellent” communication with the Ogdensburg Board of Education and the Ogdensburg students.
Saturday meeting
The November Board of Education meeting was held on a Saturday morning as an experiment.
The goal of having a Board of Education meeting on a Saturday was to give the parents and the local community an opportunity to attend a Saturday morning meeting. Board members believed it might be easier because during the week parents are busy working, taking care of their children and school work.
The December meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 2.