National Award
Given for "I Can" Attitude
The Wellington “I Can” Rock Garden is
proudly displayed as a visual symbol of our student’s commitment
to reach their goals. Combining the efforts of staff workshops,
parent focus groups and surveys, Wellington has developed mutual
core values to serve as a basis for character development within
the student body. Wellington has placed a strong emphasis on
character education before it became a mainstay in today’s
school’s systems Each year, a “book of character” is adopted and
embraced by all members of the community. Using the book’s ideas
as an impetus, monthly themes are identified that will drive the
school’s efforts to define good character in observable
behaviors. They are posted throughout the school, incorporated
into daily lessons, published in the school calendar and
newsletters. During daily morning assemblies and class lessons,
these themes are emphasized through discussions and activities so
that the students have a thorough grasp of their meaning.
This outstanding program earned
Wellington an award from the Character Education Partnership in
Washington DC. This award is given to schools in the United
States and elsewhere for implementing innovative and specific
strategies in character education. One of the reasons that
Wellington received this award is because of our “I Can” Rock
Garden created in the gardens right outside the entryway of our
two campuses. Students were inspired after hearing the story
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by Steig. In the story,
Sylvester the donkey was magically turned into a rock. It was
difficult for him to do anything in the state of being “stone
dumb.” Wellington students decided that they didn’t want to sit
around like rocks. Instead they vowed to do something with their
lives each and everyday that would make a difference to themselves
and the world around them. With this “I Can” attitude, they went
one step further and decided to grow an “I Can” Rock Garden.
“Don’t just think it, ink it,”
is a quote used to inspire our students to put their goals in
writing as the first step to achieving their goals. Students and
faculty write their chosen long term or short-term goal on their
rock and present them to the entire student body during assembly.
The rocks are then “planted” in the “I Can” garden as a visual
reminder to students and visitors to stay “committed” to their
goal by taking “ownership” over their life’s actions.
Visitors from the community and nearby
schools frequently visit our school to view the garden.
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