CCD partners to celebrate National Character Counts! Week

For The Herald Bulletin

October 13, 2007 04:51 pm

— The Center for Character Development at Anderson University, the city of Anderson and Anderson Community Schools are celebrating National Character Counts! Week with community events and school programs from now until Oct. 21. Under the theme “Celebrating the Character of Madison County,” the week’s festivities will focus on the people, places and images that make Anderson and Madison County such a unique and special place.
“Character education has had a profound impact on our city,” said Kevin Smith, mayor. “As Anderson’s economy continues to grow, it is essential that we equip our leaders of tomorrow with a strong foundation of character.”
As Anderson approaches its 10th anniversary of being a CC! Community in 2008, Don Peslis, director of the Center for Character Development at AU, hopes that all community residents become engaged in the week-long activities.
“We want to encourage all Madison County citizens to become involved in National CC! Week” said Peslis. “Instilling good character into our youth requires all community residents to take action. It’s up to all of us, on a daily basis, to make Character really Count in Anderson and greater Madison County.”
During the 2007 National CC! Week, the following events will be held in Anderson:
n CC! Week Block Party, 2 to 5 p.m. today at Mounds Mall
The event is free and open to the public. All are invited for an afternoon of fun with food, face painting, magic shows and demonstrations from School Resource Officers and Anderson Police Dept. Canine Division, and Madison County Sheriff’s Dept will be highlighted. In addition, a CC! Week Kick-Off Ceremony will begin at 2 p.m.
- “Just Say No to Drugs” Rally at Reardon Auditorium: Monday at Reardon Auditorium
The event sponsored by Anderson Community Schools, Just Say No to Drugs Program and CC! of Madison County, will feature a special night of fun, magic and positive choices as students gather from Madison County elementary schools and together to say no to drugs.
- “OPERATION: Character”: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Wigwam
Madison County elementary students are invited to attend this celebration with special appearances by Anderson’s own Sandi Patty, national comedian and educator Dr. Mike Thomson, and Indianapolis Colts’ tight end Ben Utecht. These special guests will speak on the importance of the “Power of Productive Choices.”
- “Pillar Friday”: Friday
Kids are asked to join more than four million students from around the nation by wearing CC! pillar colors (being blue, yellow, green, red, orange and violet) on Friday. Community residents are invited to show their support of character education by wearing the colors that represent the CC! six character pillars. A photo of all Anderson High School students wearing Six Pillar colors will be captured at the high school football field.
“Next to reading, writing and arithmetic, a person’s character is probably the most important thing schools and teachers are trying to teach their students,” said Interim ACS Superintendent Mikella Lowe. “We hope to have students that are life-long learners and good community citizens.”