We are now accepting nominations for the 2009-2010 "Robert Barnard Character Counts Pillar Award" and the City of Highland Park's Human Relations Commission Hummanitarian of the Year Award.

-Application for Character Counts Pillar Award.

-Application for Highland Park's Human Relations Commission Hummanitarian of the Year Award

The Six Pillars of Character is an integral part of the Highland Park community philosophy. To become more productive citizens of the future, children need to do more than learn the language. They also need to develop a set of core values that they can build on and call on throughout their lives to guide their behavior and attitudes. To meet this need, a nationwide movement has been implemented to strengthen individuals, families, and communities through character education.

Six "building blocks" of character – trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship – form the foundation of character education. These building blocks are inseparable parts of a complete attitude that will help children reduce risk behaviors, improve achievement and develop personal integrity.

These goals cannot be accomplished through the efforts of any one teacher, parent or institution. The responsibility for developing a nation of morally conscious students must be shared by all. Only through shared commitment can we hope to raise the level of character consciousness.

Character education is not add-on. Rather, it is a method for accomplishing the existing goals of life’s education, to help children develop all the skills they need to become successful adults. In Highland Park, we approach it as a subject that can be woven into everyday interactions with children. Youth Services integrates the ideas, activities and discussions into our everyday interactions.

Here are some examples of how we integrate the Six Pillars of Character:

• Creating visually stimulating and pervasive messages which are strategically placed around The Activity Center.
• Training the staff about Character Counts and how it can be used in day to day work with youth to create positive interactions.
• Focusing on Pillars when discussions or interventions are needed.