"'Project Wisdom' Launched at Gardner Grade School"

September 5, 2007
The Paper, DeWitt, Illinois

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.

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"Project Wisdom builds character at St. John"

November 9, 2006
The Catholic Accent, Greensburg, Pennsylvania

UNIONTOWN - Students at St. John the Evangelist School daily learn new ways to positively enhance their character and extend a helping hand.

Nearly six years ago, the principal, Christine Roskovensky, and faculty and staff established a character development program at the Fayette County school. The program was a part of the Middle States accreditation process during the 2000-01 school year. One component began with students extending service in the local community.

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"Berger Bears Developing Character"

September 20, 2006
West Fargo Pioneer, West Fargo, North Dakota

Character and wisdom are found in the best of us, and a new program at L.E. Berger Elementary is intended to grow that number, starting with the kids.

Teachers and staff call themselves Berger Bears. They have Paw Pride, hold monthly den meetings to discuss the six pillars of character and have "bear crossing" and "no growling" signs in the hallways. The six pillars are responsibility, trustworthiness, respect, fairness, caring and citizenship.

They have even made an acronym out of the word B.E.A.R.S. Behave responsibly; effort is essential; arrive on time; respectful and caring attitudes are important; and safety first.

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"Hamburg School Pupils Pen, Draw Messages of Tolerance on Wall"

May 11, 2006
The New Jersey Harald, Newton, New Jersey

HAMBURG - All you would see if you looked at the stucco wall before were some fish. Now, the wall at the Hamburg School swims with pupils' words of wisdom.

Called the "Wall of Wisdom," a section of a wall that frames a fish tank was covered with ceramic tiles containing handmade messages of tolerance and kindness. The messages are lessons the students learned from Project Wisdom, a character-education program.

Each morning, Principal Jeanette Ericsson reads from the program over the school's loudspeaker.

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"Returning students to pack paper, pencils, kindness"

September 8, 2005
Alaska Star, Serving Eagle River, Chugiak and Eklutna

Scissors, paper, glue. Check. It's in the backpack.

Kindness?

Even though it isn't officially listed on any of the supply lists, local school officials hope that item gets checked off as well as parents send their kids off to school.

"We strive very hard to create a culture of kindness at our school," said Dan Reed, principal of Birchwood ABC Elementary School. "We stress how the kids should act toward one another and what constitutes good behavior and what does not."

Methods for instilling kindness in students vary from school to school. At Birchwood, the "Word for the Week" program is used.

It's a character-based program, explained Reed, in which students are introduced to a different word such as "kindness" or "caring" or "sharing" via definitions and classroom modeling.

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"E pluribus mural"

June 13, 2005
The Desert Sun, Palm Springs, California

Palm Springs --Some 1,500 different messages. Messages about peace, love, hope, respect and tolerance.

The entrance to La Quinta Middle School no longer is marked by just a sign with the school's name on it.

Also prominently displayed at the front of the school is a 20-foot section of wall composed of 1,500 ceramic tiles that bear thought-provoking drawings and written messages.

Each of the school's 960 students and every staff member from the principal and teachers to cafeteria workers designed one or more of the tiles.

They created the wall to reinforce the values taught during the school year in the school's character building Project Wisdom program and to send a message to people about how to live their lives.

"Maybe it will help people correct the wrong they're doing," said student Tyler Thomas, 12.

The wall, which took much of the school year to do, already is attracting attention.

School visitors and parents picking up their children stop to read the tiles and are intrigued and impressed by the messages.

"It makes me feel like crying," said parent Esperanza Polanco after searching the wall and finding the tile her 13-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, made.

It read, "Friends Make Good Times Even Better."

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"Project Wisdom puts pupils on positive track"

October 21, 2004
Noblesville Ledger, Fishers, Indiana

CARMEL -- When Allie McCan heard a Project Wisdom message about how girls can become a future president, it had an impact on her. The message went on to say students should try hard in school to get good grades.

The Cherry Tree Elementary fifth-grader took it to heart, as she does each of the morning words of wisdom.

"They help you get through the day," she said.

Cherry Tree is one of more than 11,000 U.S. schools participating in Project Wisdom.

Carmel Clay's Orchard Park and Prairie Trace elementaries also participate.

Each morning, students from Cherry Tree's morning- announcements broadcast team read a 60-second message with a quote from a historic figure, celebrity or modern hero that reinforces the topic of that day. Topics include concepts like integrity, respect, confidence, courage and honesty. The goal is to set a positive tone for the day.

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"Project Wisdom starts day right at Remington School"

September 21, 2004
The Evening Telegram, Ilion, New York

Students of Remington Elementary School in Ilion are building character and learning valuable lessons by beginning each day with a message and quote on the morning announcements.

The program is called Project Wisdom and was instituted at the start of the school year by Remington's principal, Jeremy Rich. The point of the project is to instill values and respect in students through a short message every day.

"Last year when I got here I wanted to do something meaningful on the morning announcements to set the tone for the day," Rick said. "I knew there were programs out there like this, it was just a matter of finding it."

With the help of his staff, Rich found what he was looking for in Project Wisdom.

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"Character program kicks off at Maple Grove Junior High."
October 15, 2003
Maple Grove Osseo Press, Maple Grove, Minnesota

Maple Grove Junior High (MGJH) began implementing a Character Education program this school year.

The Character Education Program is an all year activity to promote positive school climate.

The Program was based on "Project Wisdom" materials. "Project Wisdom" consists of weekly themes and a collection of thought-provoking messages centered around the weekly theme that will be broadcast over the PA system twice a week.

The themes will be posted around the school, on television monitors and in classrooms each week. Select teachers will be facilitating activities and discussions within their curriculum for all three grades. Krista Brenno, drug prevention and school safety educator said, "these messages will help us build our 'character muscles,' reminding us to be responsible, trustworthy, courteous and caring human beings."

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"Travis Middle teaches children 'Golden Rule'"
October 22, 2003
Temple Daily Telegram, Temple, Texas

Students at Travis Middle School are learning lifelong lessons that will take them beyond the classroom.

"I hope all students practice the Golden Rule: treat others the way you expect to be treated," said Jennifer Washington, principal.

In an effort to teach students "life's wisdom's," Ms. Washington instituted the Golden Rule Award, based on Project Wisdom, a districtwide program that instills good morals and values in all of Temple's students. However, with the Golden Rule Award students at Travis take the lessons learned a step further.

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"Messages to hold lessons in character. . . .
Panel, PTA group cite Project Wisdom's wide benefits,
low cost."
April 9, 2003
Dallas Morning News - Northeast Tarrant, Grapevine, Texas

Grapevine-Colleyville school officials, after nearly a year of study, appear ready to adopt a program that uses the intercom system to impart lessons about character.

Called Project Wisdom, it is being used in nearly 1,300 elementary and secondary schools in Texas and on 8,000 more campuses across the nation, according to an official with the program based in Bellaire, Texas.

Project Wisdom has backing from a district committee of teachers and administrators that formed last year to study such programs.

"We looked at six or seven different programs," said Patti Davis, executive director of administration for the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District and facilitator of the Character Education Committee.

"The committee preferred Project Wisdom because we felt like it had all the components that are really useful for us."

Project Wisdom also has gained the support of the Grapevine-Colleyville Council of PTA's, an umbrella group that represents interests of parent-teacher organizations on each of the district's 21 campuses.

Terese DeFore, second vice president of the Council of PTAs, said Project Wisdom could be offered at a minimal cost to the district.

"Some of the other ones [character education programs] are pretty expensive," she said. "With all of the budget restraints, we felt this one would be within everybody's budget."

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"Project Wisdom"
January 8, 2003
Tri County News, Heron Lake, Minnesota

Staff members, Homecoming royalty and the KSFY nightly news crew have been among the special guests that have read morning announcements at Southwest Star Concept Elementary in Heron Lake.

The announcements have been to promote Project Wisdom, a program to build character, self-esteem and community.

The vision of the program is "to build character, by encouraging students to take responsibility for their choices and actions; to build self-esteem by motivating students to do their personal best; to build community by inspiring students to contribute to the world around them while honoring the diversity that makes our country great."


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"A Word from the Wise"
September 17, 2002
Grand Valley Advance, Hudsonville, Michigan

Wisdom comes from many sources - Plato, Aesop, Solomon, and Jiminy Cricket. Jiminy Cricket? "Jiminy Cricket," said Dave Powers. "He said, 'Always let your conscience be your guide.' That's wise." A word of wisdom is just enough to get a kid in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade to start thinking. It's more than a bumper sticker or refrigerator magnet and less than a sermon. "We began this last year," said Riley Street Middle School Principal Rich Kornoelje. "Over the course of the year, we had far fewer disciplinary referrals, and more people on our special honor roll." Based on feedback from teachers and students, he said, Project Wisdom was a factor in the improved school atmosphere.

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"Project Wisdom"
November 14, 2001
Record-Herald, Greensburg, Kentucky

Dear Editor,
I am an 8th grade student at Green County Middle School. This nine weeks I was recognized along with three other people for showing good citizenship. I was rewarded with a certificate, two movie passes, two Cokes, and two popcorns. I was chosen by a program that's called Project Wisdom.

Samantha
GCMS - 8th Grade

Dear Editor,
The Green County Middle School has a program called Project Wisdom. Project Wisdom teaches character values and good citizenship. This program also teaches ways to resist negative peer pressure.

Jacob
GCMS - 8th Grade

Dear Editor,
Green County Middle School has a program called Project Wisdom. Every nine weeks, four middle schoolers are chosen for the Golden Rule Award. I was the seventh grader who was chosen for that award for the first nine weeks. The other students who won were Samantha Jones, Jacob Buchanan and Jacob Haines. If you win this award, you will receive two movie passes that include two small Cokes, and two small popcorns.

Thanks again.
Jacob
GCMS - 6th Grade

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 "Words of wisdom are shaping attitudes at Oscar Smith High"
May 20, 2001
The Clipper, Chesapeake, Virginia

Eight words have made Sid Savoy a minor celebrity at Oscar Smith High School.

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"GHS Students Get a Daily Message via Project Wisdom"
November 2000
The Greenville Advocate, Greenville, Illinois
Jeff Leidel

Every morning this semester, Greenville High School students have started their school day with something to think about.

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"Project Wisdom provides students with 'new twist' to a.m. announcements."
September 2000
Wilton-Durant Advocate News, Wilton, Iowa

Make it a great day…or not. The choice is yours! That's the message being conveyed at Durant High School through Project Wisdom, a program designed to support students by encouraging strong ethical thinking (building character), motivating students to do their personal best (building self-esteem) and inspiring students to contribute to the world around them while honoring the diversity that makes this country great (building community).

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"From the Timber Wolves' Den"
September 2000
Wasatch County Courier/ Silver King Media, Wasatch County, Utah

"Strong character depends not so much upon chances as upon choices." This is just one selection from the many words of wisdom students at WMJH have heard lately.

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"Principal passes wisdom to pupils"
February 1999
Northwest View, Las Vegas, Nevada

Each morning at 8:45, principal Alan McNulty's voice echoes over the intercom at Brinley Middle School, while children sit quietly in the classrooms listening."Good morning, Brinley Middle School students. This is Mr. McNulty with a few words of wisdom," he says. Brinley is among 2,000 or so schools throughout the nation that have implemented Project Wisdom. The Houston-based program was founded by Leslie Luton Matula in 1992 after recognizing a need for positive messages following the Los Angeles riots.

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"Wilson Middle School recognized need for character education"
May 1999
Post-Crescent, Appleton, Wisconsin

Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the opening of the school day music teacher Doug Dahm reads a short story to the student body over the office public address system at Appleton's Wilson Middle School. These are not random stories. Dahm has selected each for the character trait it portrays, hoping to impart bits of wisdom about goodness, the Golden Rule, conscience, attitude, and integrity.

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"Greenwood Lake Middle School Golden Rule Award
winners . . ."
October 7, 1998
Greenwood Lake News, Greenwood Lake, New York

As part of the new character development program at Greenwood Lake Middle School, four students were selected as the school's first [Project Wisdom] Golden Rule Award winners . . . The awards are a result of the school's new program aimed at developing and building good character. Based on the six pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship, students are selected by each grade-level team of teachers in grades 5-8. Teachers base their selections on the student's demonstration of these values through individual behavior and deeds, service projects, time commitments and personal attitudes, in classes and activities both in school and in the community.

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"Wise ones say..."
December 1997
The Press-Enterprise, Corona, California

Pundits from Plato to Santa Claus are imparting their wisdom to Inland area students. Each morning at nearly 20 schools, pupils take five minutes to mull over quotes and aphorisms from philosophers, movie stars, religious thinkers and fictional characters. The profound words are accompanied by paragraphs that explain sometimes cryptic proverbs and encourage students to apply their lessons of tolerance and responsibility to their lives.

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"Daily dose of wisdom has positive effect on kids"
March 1997
Muskegon Mirror, Muskegon, Michigan

"I can tell you that it's had a noticeable effect. On several occasions, for example, students who have been in my office for disciplinary reasons have told me that they know they didn't make the right choice. In other words, they've listened to the morning reading and they've applied its message to their own lives." Ken Doctor, Asst. Principal

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"Students' letters comfort woman after home explosion"
December 13, 1996
The Sun, Romeoville, Illinois

Letters from Romeoville students comforted a West Virginia woman whose fiancé and future mother-in-law were killed in a Thanksgiving house explosion in Downers Grove. Teacher Patricia Frost was inspired by the school's Words of Wisdom program (Project Wisdom). Every day, words of wisdom are broadcast over the school intercom, encouraging students to think positively, and practice random acts of kindness.

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"Norway-Vulcan school launches Project Wisdom"
November 30, 1996
The Daily News, Iron Mountain-Kingsford, Michigan

Doni-Mae B. Rauch Some 30 schools in Michigan participate in [Project Wisdom]; it is included in the morning announcements of almost 1,000 schools nationwide.... Fifth-grade teacher Mary Witter also likes the program..." These messages make children aware they have the power within them to make wise choices."

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"Counting on Character"
September 18, 1996
Morning Star, Wilmington, North Carolina

Lee Roberts In addition [to other character-education programs] morning announcements over the PA system will include one-minute messages from Project Wisdom, a popular morning program of inspirational thoughts and quotes. Project Wisdom quotes are not religious, but positive inspiration, from everyone from Martin Luther King, Jr. to Eleanor Roosevelt.

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