Subscribe
Community
Thomas Stone High named Maryland School of Character
Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009
 Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photo by EMILY BARNES
Thomas Stone High School Principal L.C. Martin gives credit for Stone's School of Character award to the staff at the Waldorf school.
|
E-Mail This Article
A local high school has put a personal touch on its character award.
Principal L.C. Martin of Thomas Stone High School said when he learned his school was named the 2009 Maryland School of Character by the Maryland Center of Character Education and the Character Education Partnership he gave all the credit to his staff and the recently adopted Capturing Kids' Hearts program at the school.
According to a press release from Charles County Public Schools, the awards program recognizes schools that demonstrate outstanding character education programs that yield positive results in student behavior and academic performance.
For the past few years, the staff at Thomas Stone has used the Capturing Kids' Hearts program to build positive relationships with students.
Capturing Kids' Hearts is a program designed by Flip Flippen of Texas. Flippen visited Thomas Stone last year, when he said it was a treat to see the program in action.
Students asked Flippen several questions about how he came to work with students. Flippen said it started when he was working with a group of street kids who had a lot of potential but just didn't have guidance. He realized there must be a way to give children the positive attention they need and over time developed his programs.
The basis of the program revolves around showing students trust and respect and helping teens become leaders.
One of the most recognizable tools from the program is the idea that students need at least seven positive touches throughout the day.
Martin encourages staff at the school to stand in the hallway or just outside classrooms and greet students with a handshake.
"The idea is that if you capture a child's heart, you capture a child's mind," Martin said.
Shelby Wells, 16, a senior and student representative at the Waldorf school, said the Capturing Kids' Heart program, was changing the school's environment.
Wells said teachers were a lot more open to students and that she could see a new level of respect between teachers and students.
"A lot more kids feel more connected with teachers and a lot more teachers feel connected with kids," she said.
See related stories
