CHS Earns School of the Year Award From the Maryland Center for Character Education

Catoctin High School has earned a 2016-17 School of the Year Award from the Maryland Center for Character Education at Stevenson University (MCCE). Principal Bernard Quesada commends school counselor Dana Brashear for outstanding work leading to this recognition, which will include a School of the Year banner for Catoctin to display, a certificate of recognition, and attendance at an October 5 awards program at the university’s Rockland Center, Owings Mills campus. “Schools of character prove that when school communities come together for a common purpose, amazing things happen,” said Principal Quesada. “Our commitment to operating as a school of character works to safeguard our kids and our community.” State-level School of the Year winners have reached a standard of excellence to serve as models and mentors for other schools and educators. MCCE Executive Coordinator Linda Muska wrote that “Achieving state-level recognition is difficult because the reviewers have high standards and are very thorough.” “In schools of character, adults embrace their critical role as models. Teachers work together as professionals—and with parents and community members as partners—to positively shape the social, emotional, and character development of the young people entrusted to them each day,” according to the Character Education Partnership (CEP) website, www.character.org. When these principles are in place, according to the CEP site, bullying is rare; cheating and discipline problems decline; test scores, grades, and homework completion go up; teacher retention and satisfaction are high; and parent satisfaction and engagement rates, as well as student engagement and involvement, are high. This is the fifth consecutive year Catoctin High School has earned MCCE School of the Year recognition.