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'Project Wisdom' Launched at Gardner Grade School
Gardner Grade School has recently expanded its curriculum to include
an exciting character education initiative as part of each school
day with the implementation of a program called Project Wisdom.
In a world where many students routinely face challenging situations
that require practical social skills and strength of character,
trends in education are supporting programs like Project Wisdom
that teach concepts such as integrity, respect, confidence, courage,
honesty and diligence.
In fact, schools across the country are now routinely covering these
topics along with the traditional cornerstones of education; reading,
writing and arithmetic. Some efforts have even earned the support
of The Department of Education which awarded $16.7 million in character
education grants in 2002. Emerging research supports the notion
that investing in character education and social-emotional learning
can improve behavior as well as academic performance.
Gardner Grade School is proud to be one of over 11,000 schools nationwide
utilizing this collection of daily words of wisdom which set a positive
tone each day for everyone on campus. Project Wisdom's messages
not only impart new knowledge to the students, but also work to
develop responsible and caring individuals. The verses are rich
in history, culture, and literature. They inspire, teach and encourage
students to reflect upon the larger issues of life.
Each day, Kindergarten through eighth grade students will hear a
short message containing a quotation from an historic figure, celebrity,
modern hero or other notable voice that reinforces the topic of
the day. The 60-second announcement will be narrated by a Gardner
Grade School staff member.
Educators from California to New York have recorded marked differences
in their school's environment and attributed the positive change,
at least in part, to the lessons delivered by Project Wisdom. Project
Wisdom's research shows that the program reduces incidents of disruptive
behavior such as bullying and teasing, helps develop a more positive
school climate and creates benefits that are perceived to be immediate
and don't dissipate with time.
Project Wisdom was founded in 1992 by Leslie Matula of Houston,
Texas. Leslie developed the program as part of a volunteer effort
to bring character education to her son's middle school. The pilot
program gained the attention of other area schools interested in
the concept. A few months later, a small business was organized
to offer the program to those schools. Today, Project Wisdom, Inc.
is an independent, nonpolitical organization that reaches more that
four million students each school day.
Reprinted with
permission
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