CHARACTER COUNTS! has awarded 16 mini-grants totaling $13,770, to faculty and staff in the Martin County School District to enhance and enrich their schools’ character education programs.

The grants were awarded during National CHARACTER COUNTS! Week, Oct. 21-27.

Among the recipients was the Public Pillars project at J D Parker School of Science, Math & Technology. This project will engage students in creating a mural of the Six Pillars of Character in their school cafeteria. “The (Six) pillars are the gateway to this world,” said art teacher Bryan Hayden. “When students stand in front of the mural, they will begin to understand that these pillars are the keys to a life full of full and rich experiences that they can achieve by demonstrating the pillars in every day life.”

Another project is a Tree of Compassion at Murray Middle School. Guidance counselor Annie Galland said this project will recognize and honor veterans on Veterans Day and senior citizens during the holidays with community service projects. It also will recognize monthly students and staff who have demonstrated one or all of the Six Pillars of Character.

Warfield Elementary will expand its Be Cool Conflict Management Program. According to Guidance counselor Rhonda Cooper, “Be Cool teaches kids specific techniques to promote self-control and interrupt the tendency to impulsively act out. Strategies dealing with bullying situations related to CHARACTER COUTS! will be taught.”

Following are other recipients of the mini-grants (school and educator):

• Crystal Lake Elementary, Mark Scholl – Expanding CHARACTER COUNTS! visual representations into the school’s community.

• Dr. David L. Anderson Middle, Vonetta Allen – CHARACTER COUNTS! in Action.

• Felix A. Williams Elementary, Vicki Weber – R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

• Hobe Sound Elementary, June Parrilli – Reader’s Theater.

• Indiantown Middle School, Robert Vanover – Integrating the Six Pillars of Character into a schoolwide bully prevention program.

• J D Parker School of Science, Math & Technology, Karen Neff – Peacemaking Skills for Little Kids.

• J D Parker School of Science, Math & Technology, Tammy Nolan – Bibliotherapy: Addressing bullying through the use of children’s books.

• J D Parker School of Science, Math & Technology, Mary White, and Jensen Beach High School, Shannon Blount – Joint school presentation and activities involving “My Life as a Furry Red Monster.”

• Palm City Elementary, Debbie Freese, Cynthia Ganther, Leigh Anne Pike, Cheryl Miranda, Ilene Goldstein and Becky Beal – Reader’s Theater.

• Pinewood Elementary, Brenda Susla – Hooked on Character. A weekly TV puppet show called Peer Factor will present “real-life getting-along” situations that will enable children to learn about the Six Pillars of Character and get tips on how to get Hooked on Character to solve their problems.

• Port Salerno Elementary, Cherese Wiggins, Teresa Soliman, Maureen Adams, Margo Nubelo, Deborah Henn, and Sue Chandler – A first-grade team project integrating character education into the school community.

• Warfield Elementary, Terra Benc and kindergarten team – Implement Conscious Discipline program to create an environment that fosters learning and builds character development for both the staff and the students.