San Clemente

City of San Clemente

Crime Prevention - CHARACTER COUNTS!sm

CHARACTER COUNTS! is a partnership of hundreds of non-profit organizations, with their goal to improve the character of today's youth. These nationwide groups include community schools, Y.M.C.A. of the U.S.A., 4-H Club, Boys and Girls Club of America, Big Brother's and Sister's of America, American Red Cross, American Federation of Teachers, Boy Scouts of America, AARP, Little League Baseball, Bobby Sox Softball, Camp Fire Boys and Girls, National Council of La Raza, and many more. Click here for the CHARACTER COUNTS! Jamboree Family Fair flier (PDF format) This year's theme: 1950's... Think "Grease" and "Happy Days" with Performing horses, OC Sheriff helicopter, fire engines, martial arts, a dance team, over 70 booths will highlight the annual CHARACTER COUNTS! Jamboree in San Clemente on September 27th, 2008. The festivities take place this year at Vista Del Mar Middle School, 1130 Avenida Talega, San Clemente. This free event includes: 11:30 Orange County Sheriff's Dept. Mounted Unit 12:00 Opening ceremonies 12:30 Las Palmas School Peaceful Warriors Demonstration 01:00 San Clemente Dance Team 01:30 World Champion Western Gun Spinners 02:00 USSD of San Clemente 02:30 Truman Benedict leads everyone in the "Six Pillar Shuffle" Opening ceremony: There is a full OCSD Mounted Unit Color Guard, along with a San Clemente High School student singing the National Anthem. CHARACTER COUNTS! started in San Clemente in 1997 in public and private schools from kindergarten age through high school. Also involved are the Boys and Girls Club, the Y.M.C.A. the Jr. Lifeguard Program, San Clemente Rotary Club, San Clemente Exchange Club, San Clemente Kiwanis Club, and many others throughout the community partner with San Clemente Police Services in promoting good character to our youth. CHARACTER COUNTS! was created by the Josephson Institute of Ethics, with a diverse group of educators, youth leaders and ethic scholars in 1992. The developers of this program demonstrated a need for a common language in guiding children through their development in knowing the difference between right and wrong, and how to make good choices. This diverse group of youth leaders created the Aspen Declaration; a powerful document that identifies six core values primary to an ethical community. The CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition teaches young people the Six Pillars of Character. These values promote trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship as the basis for character education. The program demonstrates the ways a child can become a person of good character. This is accomplished by the examples set by the child's significant adult in their life; schools, and throughout our community. The curriculum is based on the specific language of these six words. It is integrated into the school's current curriculum, not as an add-on program. Children will be able to demonstrate both their understanding of the words and the application of the meaning of the words in real life situations. This helps build their self-esteem, communication and leadership skills to become successful adults. We as adults support the child by using the language of the Six Pillars, and teaching, enforcing, advocating, and modeling good character. Then children are given the opportunity in real life to make good choices, both on and off the school grounds. For further information, contact Leslie Mowers (949) 361-8368 or go to the CHARACTER COUNTS! Internet site: www.charactercounts.org "To education a person in mind, and not in morals, is to educate a menace to society." Theodore Roosevelt San Clemente Police Services recognizes over 500 students annually for their good character celebrated at end of the year award ceremonies. The City of San Clemente, in partnership with San Clemente Police Services holds their annual CHARACTER COUNTS! Jamboree the first Saturday in October. Community involvement includes over 60 booths, children's performances and displays supported by local schools, youth organizations and sponsors, together with all four CUSD high schools. In 2003, A Community Oriented Policing award was presented to the San Clemente CHARACTER COUNTS! Leadership Council, by the Orange County Human Relations Committee. Out of the five awards presented, San Clemente was the only group not solely represented by law enforcement officers. This team included representatives from the Orange County Sheriff's Dept., the City of San Clemente, Capistrano Unified School District, the San Clemente Library, SCHS Interact Club, and the Boys and Girls Club. CHARACTER COUNTS! and the Six Pillars of Character are service marks used by the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition, a project of the Josephson Institute of Ethics Bully Prevention What is bullying: No longer can be called, child’s play. It is becoming an abusive behavior as demonstrated in the deadly campus shootings as seen at Columbine Schoolyard bullying occurs in kindergarten through 12th grade Name calling, Fist fights, Extortion, Character assassination, Libel Repeated physical attacks, Sexual harassment, Cyber bullying e-mail, websites, digital cameras, and cell phone harassment. Bullying aka “peer child abuse” Reasons why we must take action against bullying: by age 24, 60% of identified bullies have a criminal conviction children who are repeatedly victimized sometimes see suicide as their only escape bullying is one of the most underrated and enduring problems in schools today schools are a prime location for bullying bullies lose their popularity as they get older and are eventually disliked by the majority of students primary age children who were labeled by their peers as bullies required more support as adults from government agencies, had more court convictions, more alcoholism, more antisocial personality disorders and used more mental health services many adults do not know how to intervene in bullying situations, therefore bullying is often overlooked bullying occurs once every seven minutes on average, bullying episodes are brief, approximately 37 seconds long the emotional scars from bullying can last a lifetime the majority of bullying occurs in or close to school buildings most victims are unlikely to report bullying only 25% of students report that teachers intervene in bullying situations, while 71% of teachers believe they always intervene What can schools do to stop bullying? Effective programs have been developed to reduce bullying in schools. These programs, or frameworks such CHARACTER COUNTS!sm www.charactercounts.org can reduce bullying 50% with a school-wide commitment to end bullying. Raise awareness about bullying; increase teacher and parent involvement and supervision Form clear rules and strong social norms against bullying Provide support and protection for all students Involved entire school climate from principal to crossing guards Create Bully prevention program with the integration of the 6 pillars Use the school PAL or ASB students Benefits of an Anti-Bullying Policy In talking to parents over the past years, it is clear that what they want most for their children is to know that they are safe at school. When a child does not feel safe at school, it affects everything else that goes on in that child's life. Many schools have an unofficial reputation for tolerating bullying. This reputation is usually common knowledge throughout the student community. In these schools more children tend to feel anxious about their personal safety and as a result many are reluctant to attend. By the time a school has a public reputation for being a "tough school," many victims have suffered in silence. Once the issue of bullying is brought into the open by the school, and the community is made aware of the "No Bullying" policy, the school gains a reputation of being safe for all children and is seen as an active partner in taking care of children. The benefits to students are significant as well. When children know that the school they attend actively works to make the learning environment a safe environment, and that bullying is not tolerated, they can afford to relax their guard and divert more of their attention to learning rather than staying safe. Even students who cannot be categorized as victims or bullies, but who witness bullying, feel more comfortable when they know that the school community, students, staff and administration stand together against bullying. Regardless of what kind of school environment students have previously encountered, when they enter a school with a Zero Tolerance for bullying, students who have bullying potential usually test the policy. For this reason, it is important that the school maintains the active teaching of non bullying behaviors, and publishes school-based bullying statistics (Appendix E). Students need to know that this is not just a 'shot in the dark,' and that the policy will be reviewed and maintained each and every year. Students are Key to A Successful Anti-Bullying Campaign Students are key to a successful Anti-Bullying campaign primarily because they usually know who the bullies are long before the adults do. When it comes to discipline or punishment issues, most students strongly believe in fairness and therefore welcome Anti-Bullying policies that encourage treating others with care and respect. However, students are more likely to support an Anti-Bullying campaign when they have been directly involved in determining the need for such a program, and deciding on its implementation. This includes developing Anti-Bullying policies and subsequent school-wide or classroom activities. It is necessary for students to promote the concept that caring for others is a valued quality, one that they accept and encourage. Teachers need to be sensitive to the fact that the level of student participation in the Anti-Bullying campaign will vary. Once students are mobilized to take action against bullies, they must feel secure that teachers understand their need to stay safe. For some students this means ensuring that the information they share will not cause them to lose status in their peer group. Confidentiality must be maintained in order for the program to be viewed by the students as credible. As well, to help students actively participate and take on the challenge of reducing bullying, it is very important that they learn the difference between "ratting" and "reporting." "Ratting" occurs when a student tells about an inappropriate act with the idea getting another student into trouble with the administration. "Reporting" happens when a student tells to protect the safety of another student. Once students have an understanding of the difference between the two, reporting bullying incidents becomes much less of a social taboo. www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov www.bullying.org www.youthandviolence.com www.cyberbullying.ca/

CHARACTER COUNTS! photo CHARACTER COUNTS! is a partnership of hundreds of non-profit organizations, with their goal to improve the character of today's youth. These nationwide groups include community schools, Y.M.C.A. of the U.S.A., 4-H Club, Boys and Girls Club of America, Big Brother's and Sister's of America, American Red Cross, American Federation of Teachers, Boy Scouts of America, AARP, Little League Baseball, Bobby Sox Softball, Camp Fire Boys and Girls, National Council of La Raza, and many more.

Click here for the CHARACTER COUNTS! Jamboree Family Fair flier (PDF format)

CHARACTER COUNTS! photo This year's theme: 1950's... Think "Grease" and "Happy Days" with Performing horses, OC Sheriff helicopter, fire engines, martial arts, a dance team, over 70 booths will highlight the annual CHARACTER COUNTS! Jamboree in San Clemente on September 27th, 2008. The festivities take place this year at Vista Del Mar Middle School, 1130 Avenida Talega, San Clemente. This free event includes:

11:30 Orange County Sheriff's Dept. Mounted Unit
12:00 Opening ceremonies
12:30 Las Palmas School Peaceful Warriors Demonstration
01:00 San Clemente Dance Team
01:30 World Champion Western Gun Spinners
02:00 USSD of San Clemente
02:30 Truman Benedict leads everyone in the "Six Pillar Shuffle"

Opening ceremony: There is a full OCSD Mounted Unit Color Guard, along with a San Clemente High School student singing the National Anthem.

CHARACTER COUNTS! photo CHARACTER COUNTS! started in San Clemente in 1997 in public and private schools from kindergarten age through high school. Also involved are the Boys and Girls Club, the Y.M.C.A. the Jr. Lifeguard Program, San Clemente Rotary Club, San Clemente Exchange Club, San Clemente Kiwanis Club, and many others throughout the community partner with San Clemente Police Services in promoting good character to our youth.

CHARACTER COUNTS! was created by the Josephson Institute of Ethics, with a diverse group of educators, youth leaders and ethic scholars in 1992. The developers of this program demonstrated a need for a common language in guiding children through their development in knowing the difference between right and wrong, and how to make good choices. This diverse group of youth leaders created the Aspen Declaration; a powerful document that identifies six core values primary to an ethical community.

CHARACTER COUNTS! photo The CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition teaches young people the Six Pillars of Character. These values promote trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship as the basis for character education. The program demonstrates the ways a child can become a person of good character. This is accomplished by the examples set by the child's significant adult in their life; schools, and throughout our community.

CHARACTER COUNTS! photo The curriculum is based on the specific language of these six words. It is integrated into the school's current curriculum, not as an add-on program. Children will be able to demonstrate both their understanding of the words and the application of the meaning of the words in real life situations. This helps build their self-esteem, communication and leadership skills to become successful adults. We as adults support the child by using the language of the Six Pillars, and teaching, enforcing, advocating, and modeling good character. Then children are given the opportunity in real life to make good choices, both on and off the school grounds.

For further information, contact Leslie Mowers (949) 361-8368 or go to the CHARACTER COUNTS! Internet site: www.charactercounts.org

"To education a person in mind, and not in morals, is to educate a menace to society."
Theodore Roosevelt

CHARACTER COUNTS! photo San Clemente Police Services recognizes over 500 students annually for their good character celebrated at end of the year award ceremonies.

The City of San Clemente, in partnership with San Clemente Police Services holds their annual CHARACTER COUNTS! Jamboree the first Saturday in October. Community involvement includes over 60 booths, children's performances and displays supported by local schools, youth organizations and sponsors, together with all four CUSD high schools.

CHARACTER COUNTS! photo In 2003, A Community Oriented Policing award was presented to the San Clemente CHARACTER COUNTS! Leadership Council, by the Orange County Human Relations Committee. Out of the five awards presented, San Clemente was the only group not solely represented by law enforcement officers. This team included representatives from the Orange County Sheriff's Dept., the City of San Clemente, Capistrano Unified School District, the San Clemente Library, SCHS Interact Club, and the Boys and Girls Club.

CHARACTER COUNTS! and the Six Pillars of Character are service marks used by the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition, a project of the Josephson Institute of Ethics

Bully Prevention

What is bullying:

No longer can be called, child’s play. It is becoming an abusive behavior as demonstrated in the deadly campus shootings as seen at Columbine
Schoolyard bullying occurs in kindergarten through 12th grade
Name calling, Fist fights, Extortion, Character assassination, Libel
Repeated physical attacks, Sexual harassment, Cyber bullying e-mail, websites, digital cameras, and cell phone harassment.
Bullying aka “peer child abuse”

Reasons why we must take action against bullying:

by age 24, 60% of identified bullies have a criminal conviction
children who are repeatedly victimized sometimes see suicide as their only escape
bullying is one of the most underrated and enduring problems in schools today
schools are a prime location for bullying
bullies lose their popularity as they get older and are eventually disliked by the majority of students
primary age children who were labeled by their peers as bullies required more support as adults from government agencies, had more court convictions, more alcoholism, more antisocial personality disorders and used more mental health services
many adults do not know how to intervene in bullying situations, therefore bullying is often overlooked
bullying occurs once every seven minutes
on average, bullying episodes are brief, approximately 37 seconds long
the emotional scars from bullying can last a lifetime
the majority of bullying occurs in or close to school buildings
most victims are unlikely to report bullying
only 25% of students report that teachers intervene in bullying situations, while 71% of teachers believe they always intervene

What can schools do to stop bullying?

Effective programs have been developed to reduce bullying in schools. These programs, or frameworks such CHARACTER COUNTS!sm www.charactercounts.org can reduce bullying 50% with a school-wide commitment to end bullying.
Raise awareness about bullying; increase teacher and parent involvement and supervision
Form clear rules and strong social norms against bullying
Provide support and protection for all students
Involved entire school climate from principal to crossing guards
Create Bully prevention program with the integration of the 6 pillars
Use the school PAL or ASB students

Benefits of an Anti-Bullying Policy

In talking to parents over the past years, it is clear that what they want most for their children is to know that they are safe at school. When a child does not feel safe at school, it affects everything else that goes on in that child's life. Many schools have an unofficial reputation for tolerating bullying. This reputation is usually common knowledge throughout the student community. In these schools more children tend to feel anxious about their personal safety and as a result many are reluctant to attend. By the time a school has a public reputation for being a "tough school," many victims have suffered in silence.

Once the issue of bullying is brought into the open by the school, and the community is made aware of the "No Bullying" policy, the school gains a reputation of being safe for all children and is seen as an active partner in taking care of children.

The benefits to students are significant as well. When children know that the school they attend actively works to make the learning environment a safe environment, and that bullying is not tolerated, they can afford to relax their guard and divert more of their attention to learning rather than staying safe. Even students who cannot be categorized as victims or bullies, but who witness bullying, feel more comfortable when they know that the school community, students, staff and administration stand together against bullying.

Regardless of what kind of school environment students have previously encountered, when they enter a school with a Zero Tolerance for bullying, students who have bullying potential usually test the policy. For this reason, it is important that the school maintains the active teaching of non bullying behaviors, and publishes school-based bullying statistics (Appendix E). Students need to know that this is not just a 'shot in the dark,' and that the policy will be reviewed and maintained each and every year.

Students are Key to A Successful Anti-Bullying Campaign

Students are key to a successful Anti-Bullying campaign primarily because they usually know who the bullies are long before the adults do.

When it comes to discipline or punishment issues, most students strongly believe in fairness and therefore welcome Anti-Bullying policies that encourage treating others with care and respect. However, students are more likely to support an Anti-Bullying campaign when they have been directly involved in determining the need for such a program, and deciding on its implementation. This includes developing Anti-Bullying policies and subsequent school-wide or classroom activities. It is necessary for students to promote the concept that caring for others is a valued quality, one that they accept and encourage.

Teachers need to be sensitive to the fact that the level of student participation in the Anti-Bullying campaign will vary. Once students are mobilized to take action against bullies, they must feel secure that teachers understand their need to stay safe. For some students this means ensuring that the information they share will not cause them to lose status in their peer group. Confidentiality must be maintained in order for the program to be viewed by the students as credible. As well, to help students actively participate and take on the challenge of reducing bullying, it is very important that they learn the difference between "ratting" and "reporting." "Ratting" occurs when a student tells about an inappropriate act with the idea getting another student into trouble with the administration. "Reporting" happens when a student tells to protect the safety of another student. Once students have an understanding of the difference between the two, reporting bullying incidents becomes much less of a social taboo.

www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov

www.bullying.org

www.youthandviolence.com

www.cyberbullying.ca/