Citizens for an Ethical Minnesota
Contacts:
Wanda Sommers Wall, Ph. 507-389-1076
Joyce Swenson, Ph. 507-389-2461
Barb Bergseth, Ph. 612-419-3619
Mary Hillmann, Ph. 952-715-8745
NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES
Character Recognition Day
Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie read Governor Dayton’s proclamation of
Character Recognition Day on May 17 at the State Capitol. View
photos and
press release of the event. Synergy & Leadership Exchange honored the following schools and programs:
2012 Minnesota State School of Character:
- Waseca High School – Waseca
2012 Minnesota Promising Practice Award:
- *Avalon School – St. Paul
- Coon Rapids Middle School – Coon Rapids
- *Ellis Middle School – Austin
- Footprints Academy – Woodbury
- Isanti Intermediate School/School for All Seasons – Isanti
- *Lakes International Language Academy – Forest Lake
- NRHEG Elementary – Ellendale
- Primrose School of Savage – Savage
- Taylors Falls Elementary – Taylors Falls
*2012 National Promising Practice award winners
2012 Minnesota Ethical Citizen Award:
- Urban Battle – Reverend Bob Battle and the Berean COGIC, St. Paul
- Minnesota Student Leadership Seminar - West Point Society of Minnesota
The Urban Battle program provides tutoring and mentoring for St. Paul school children. Reverend Bob Battle, with the help of his congregation, started the program18 years ago to, “help make a difference in lives of St. Paul kids.”
According to nominator Robert Osburn, “Reverend Battle recently served on Minnesota’s Integration Taskforce and has been one of the voices for new strategies that not only close the achievement gap…but is also a clear exponent of the need for children to learn character in our schools.”
The Minnesota Student Leadership Seminar is a free one day interactive seminar for high school students to explore the foundations of ethical leadership and their own personal values. Small group discussions are led by West Point Cadets who help students understand what they might do if faced with a situation of right or wrong. West Point Society of Minnesota is a volunteer group of alumni committed to strengthening character and leadership skills of young people.
Transform School Cultures – Make it Happen!
Learn how CEP’s framework, the 11 Principles of Effective Character Education, can help you improve academics, reduce discipline problems, and create a caring and respectful community. National experts will share step by step, evidence-based strategies along with replicable examples from nationally recognized schools. Participate in a CEP webinar today. All webinars are 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. EST. See
http://www.character.org/training/webinars/ for more information.Upcoming dates and topics:
- May 24 – Celebrating Your Results!
- June 7 – Making that Data Meaningful
- June 14 – Reflection and Opportunities
Check it Out!
Addressing Cyberbullying From All Sides
May 23, time TBD
We will provide an overview of cyberbullying and guidance for prevention and response. Participants will be introduced to Common Sense’s free Cyberbullying Toolkit, which offers key lesson plans, engaging videos, a parent outreach kit, and resource links for administrators and kids.
Reserve your seat on Google's site (coming soon).
Meeting Common Core Standards With Digital Literacy And Citizenship
June 20, time TBD
How are you meeting "the core" standards? Many teachers are unclear on how they can integrate Common Core standards into their teaching. Join us for a webinar in a series with Google Apps for Education. We will provide tips on how digital literacy and citizenship can meet ELA Common Core standards for middle school. You will be introduced to lessons and best teaching practices that educate students to be safe and responsible online, while fulfilling Common Core standards.
Reserve your seat on Google's site (coming soon).
INITIATIVE MISSION, VISION & GOALS
Mission: Develop Minnesotans to be good citizens and ethical leaders.
Vision: Good character and ethical leadership are the cultural norms in Minnesota where citizens make decisions that positively affect themselves and others
Goals:
- Ensure that ethical citizenship and good character are embedded in the culture of all Minnesota communities.
- Develop active partnerships between businesses, educators, community organizations and youth in support of the mission.
- Identify tools and resources to bring the language of ethics and responsibility into education and community conversations.
- Document cost to society for unethical decisions linked to the lack of good character.
- Provide evidence of the effect of character education on academic, civic and workplace achievement.
What People Are Saying . . .
“Minnesota’s ‘brand’ in the world is centered on ethical behavior by our citizens, our businesses and our government officials. We have inherited this reputation and we must work hard as stewards of high standards.”
– Mark Ritchie, Minnesota Secretary of State
“The ethics of our state will be determined by the ethics of each individual citizen. We must reach out across the many lines that separate us and build a statewide community worthy of our dear children.”
– Karen Rusthoven, Ed.D.,
founder, principal and executive director, Community of Peace Academy (2003 National School of Character)
“Instilling an ethical culture with the future leaders of Minnesota should be one of our core values. Integrity and social responsibility raises the bar and provides opportunities that will move Minnesota forward in our global economy.”
– Carl G. Peterson, CPA, Past Chair - MN Society of CPAs,Co-Chair - MN Business Ethics Award
Initiative Detail:
Initiative Summary
Phase III: Leading the Call to Action
Phase II: From Vision to Action
Phase I: A Vision for Our Time
Reference Documentation: