The Community & the “I Care” Parent Engagement Character Curriculum Model
The International Association of Character Cities reports that there is an increased awareness in the community that most challenges and issues we face as individuals, families, and organizations have their root cause in personal character. Thus, character development is not just the responsibility of the schools or families with children in school, but also citizens who are interested in and affected by the quality of the community and the culture including:
- Chamber of Commerce
- Local business/industry
- Local government
- Faith-based organizations
- Non-profit and service organizations
- Institutions of higher learning
Role of the Community
- Acquaint yourselves with strategies and activities you can adopt to support the character efforts of the schools as described in the “I Care” Community Partnership Manual and include:
- Posting the “I Care” Character Poster corresponding to the trait of the month being practiced in the school and at home
- Have discussions of the monthly character traits in employee meetings
- Provide incentives to employees who model the character traits
- Provide training for employees on character development and the “I Care” Model
- Set up an “I Care” Partnership Organization that provides volunteer time, money, or materials to the schools
Benefits to the Community
- Provides common ground for a discussion of integrity, character, and ethics
- Reinforces ethics in the workplace
- Improves communication between school and community
- Potential for reducing workers’ compensation costs, increasing productivity and morale, decreasing turnover, and reducing lawsuits or grievances
