School of Character

Smallwood Drive Elementary has been named a 2024 New York State School of Character and a National School of Character by character.org. In 2024, we also earned our fifth Promising Practice award.

Since it first earned both the state and national designations in 2019, Smallwood Drive Elementary School has grown their character initiative to develop yearly themes based on character development. Smallwood has consistently prioritized the development of character and the importance of social, and emotional health with students. There have been several successful initiatives since 2019, such as "Power of a Puppet," "Mantra Mondays," "Use your voice," "Lending a Paw," and "Our Community, Our Plan," that have played a direct role in teaching students the skills they need to grow into exceptional citizens of the community. Every year since 2019, the themes have earned Promising Practice awards from character.org. Those themes such as "Power of a Puppet," "Mantra Mondays," "Use your voice," "Lending a Paw," and "Our Community, Our Plan," have played a direct role in teaching students the skills they need to grow into exceptional citizens of the community.

Both the state and national designation remain in place for five years. The 2024 designation means Smallwood will have a 10-year span as a School of Character from 2019 - 2029. In 2019 they were the only school in New York to win both state and national honors.

The Schools of Character program is run by character.org, a national organization whose mission is to support schools that positively shape the social, emotional and character development of the young people entrusted to them each day. Schools must demonstrate how their character education programs align with the 11 principles defined by character.org. They were selected through an intense application process and a virtual site visit.

Since 2019, the school has won these character education awards:

2019 - NYS School of Character, 2019-2024
2019 - National School of Character, 2019-2024
2020 Promising Practice - Power of a Puppet
2021 Promising Practice - Mantra Mondays
2022 Promising Practice - Use Your Voice
2023 Promising Practice - Lending a Paw
2024 - NYS School of Character, 2024-2029
2024 - National School of Character, 2024-2029
2024 Promising Practice - Our Community, Our Plan