Character Education & Awards

School Mission:  

"To create a learning community which fosters the development of responsible individuals who embrace the world as thoughtful, knowledgeable, skillful, contributing citizens."

Character is Key

Each of us at Cedar Way takes our charge as educators with the highest earnestness and diligence. To create the community of learners as our mission states, we understand that this means that the “Three R’s” is not where learning ends. We strive to foster the education of the complete child, one who excels in learning and is a responsible individual who embraces the world as a thoughtful, knowledgeable, skillful, and contributing citizen – one who is of high, moral character.

Character education helps children to understand, care about, and act on fundamental ethical and citizenship values. Quality character education helps schools create a positive, safe, caring and inclusive learning environment for every student and supports academic development. It fosters qualities that will help students be successful as citizens and with the academic curriculum. It lays the foundation to help students be successful in all of the goals we have for our school.

Cedar Way is engaged in character education – developing good, strong character in each and every student so that each becomes more thoughtful, knowledgeable, and skillful, and contributes in positive and productive ways in our community. We know that a good community is good for everyone. We endeavor to create the kind of classrooms, school, and community that is representative of these beliefs.

Each month, a different character trait is the focus for study and learning activities. Students and teachers work together to identify the trait of the month and put it into work more clearly and effectively. At the end of each month, students in each classroom are selected for having demonstrated that month’s character trait in the best possible ways in class and everywhere else at school. Then, at a special awards assembly in the gym, those students are introduced by their teachers and recognized for their great accomplishments for the month in that character trait.

Lunch with the Principal

During each month, all students at Cedar Way have the opportunity to earn “Good Deed Tickets.” These are given to students who do good deeds for others – teachers, students, or anyone who may be at school. Good Deed Tickets can be earned for the act and are not given to students who ask for them.

Good Deed Tickets are then turned into classroom collection points and brought to our awards assembly. Gathered with others, four tickets are drawn from baskets – one for Kindergarten through third grades and one for fourth through sixth grades. The four students whose tickets are drawn are the lucky students who go to lunch with our principal at McDonald’s restaurant on 44^th Avenue West in Lynnwood. Cedar Way is grateful for McDonald’s partnership in supporting our positive school community.

Every Student is Capable of Greatness

Each month, every student at Cedar Way Elementary has the opportunity for a very unique and special award. It is know as the Cedar Way Award. This is not an easy award to receive, but all students have the chance to earn it. This special award can only be earned when a student meets two challenging requirements:

· Meet or exceed all academic standards in all areas of curriculum

· Demonstrate excellence in citizenship for the entire month

Character Traits of the Month

September – Responsibility & Organization	January – Compassion & Empathy	May – Perseverance
October – Cooperation & Sharing	February – Integrity	June – Self-discipline
November – Citizenship & Service	March – Creativity & Imagination	(July – Summer Break)
December – Kindness & Caring	(April – Spring Break)	(August – Summer Break)