The Virtues and Character Recognition Awards will be presented to 15 exemplary local schools at Friday, April 28, at approximately 9 a.m. during the Conference on Character and Civic Education, presented by California State University, Fresno.

The conference is from 7:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fresno Convention and Entertainment Center’s Ernest Valdez Hall in downtown Fresno. Keynote Speaker Hal Urban will deliver the keynote address during the First General Session, which is from 8:10 to 9:40 a.m. The awards presentation follows.

Schools from Sanger, Clovis, Woodlake and Porterville school districts are being honored this year.

Created 19 years ago, the awards program is the longest-running of its kind in the United States, according to Dr. Jacques Benninga, director of the Bonner Center for character Education and the conference co-chair.

Each year applications are sent to either all the elementary schools or middle schools in the four-county area of Central California. The application asks each school to address a series of character education implementation questions. After the applications are returned, they are screened by the Bonner Center’s Advisory Committee, finalist schools are selected, site visitations are made to those finalist schools and winners are selected.

The application calls for the following information from schools:

• Does the school promote core ethical values as the basis of good character?

• Does the school foster an intentional, proactive, and comprehensive approach to its core values in all phases of school life? Does it ensure a clean and secure learning environment? Does it promote positive social development and group cohesion? And does it promote and model fairness, equity, caring and respect for others.

• Does the school provide students opportunities for moral action by providing them opportunities to contribute in meaningful ways to the school, to others and to the community.

Each school receives an award plaque and a check from the California Geographic Alliance-San Joaquin Valley Chapter. (2006 recipients attacked).

The Conference on Character and Civic Education is sponsored by the Kremen School of Education and Human Development and its Bonner Center for Character Education. It is required of all Fresno State student teachers. The conference provides prospective teachers with information on local civic agencies devoted to assisting children and families with life’s issues and teaches about ethical

implications of professional educators.

Keynote Speaker Hal Urban will deliver the keynote address during the First General Session which is from 8:10 a.m. to 9:40 am. The awards presentation will follow his talk. Teachers of the year

Jeff Cozad (Tulare County) and Jeanne Cox, (Fresno County Special Education) will give talks at 12:15 P.m.

For more information, contact Benninga at 559.278.0253 or Jan Moosoolian, conference co-chair, at 559.278.0115. (See conference press release at www.FresnoStateNews.com).

The Virtues and Character Recognition Award 2006

22nd annual Conference on Character and Civic Education

Fresno Convention and Entertainment Center — Ernest Valdez Hall

Friday, April 28, 2006

Presented by California State University, Fresno:

Kremen School of Education and Human Development

Bonner Center for Character Education

2006 Recipients

Burton Elementary School (Burton Elementary) — Michelle Pengilly, Principal Centerville School (Sanger Unified) — Lisa Houston, Principal

Fancher Creek Elementary School (Clovis Unified) — Rosie Rivera-Borjas, Principal Francis J. White Learning Center (Woodlake Union) — J. Terrence Keller, Principal James K. Polk Elementary School (Central Unified) — Karen Garlick, Principal Jefferson Elementary School (Sanger Unified) — Matt Nava, Principal

John S. Wash Elementary School (Sanger Unified) — Wesley Sever, Principal McKinley Elementary School (Central Unified) — Eliseo Cuellar, Principal Monte Vista Elementary School (Porterville Union) — Carol Woodley, Principal Oak Grove School (Burton Elementary) — Mick Bishop, Principal

Roosevelt Elementary School (Central Unified) — Danny Teevens, Principal River Bluff Elementary School (Central Unified) — Brett Wolfe, Principal Sanger Academy Charter School (Sanger Unified) — Ken Garcia, Principal Santa Fe Elementary School (Porterville Union) — Angel Valdez, Principal Vandalia Elementary School (Porterville Union) — Lissa Lambie, Principal