RBMS named State School of Character

Scott Jeske, principal at Robert Blue Middle School, said typically, this is the most difficult time of the school year for both students and teachers - there’s Iowa Assessments to think about, the weather is cold, and people have spring feaver…but it’s a little different this year.  On Friday, Feb. 20, they had something to celebrate - being named an Iowa School of Character. They are only the sixth school in the state to receive this prestigious honor.

Character Counts! was founded in 1997 to promote positive qualities through trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.  It was first introduced at RBMS in 1998 as a way to proactively address the need for character development

“The six pillars of character gave us a common language so that we could purposely address character education in all curriculum and school programming,” said Beth Stephas, RBMS middle school counselor.

Through the years, Character Counts! has become more of a way of life for students and staff than just a behavior to be learned.  Murals and billboards have been dedicated to it.  Take a walk through the school, and these are just a few of the messages you’ll find:

-The home of super heros 

- Character is our super power

- Character Counts! in Eagle Grove

- We are RBMS - Trustworthy, fun, athletic, leaders, responsible, collaborators, loving, fabulous, respectful, beautiful, friendly, kind, dependable, hard-working, real

There is also character in the classroom, on a daily basis, and also on a student-led basis when Character In Action (CIA) students go in and teach their peers about specified topics.  Some of these lessons include or have included:  Down Syndrome, bullying, feeling compassion, the power of words, diabetes, stereotypes, Leader Dog for the blind, autism, and so much more.  Many of the CIA agents have personal connections to the lessons they teach, which makes it even more intriguing to their peers.

Scott Raecker, Executive Director of Character Counts in Iowa (which recently changed their name to the Robert D. and Billie Ray Center) was proud to recognize the school’s effort as he, along with Program Directors Jeff Kluever and Georgia Sheriff, presented RBMS with the 2015 Iowa School of Character banner from character.org on Friday.

“Robert Blue Middle School is a model on how to do education right and care about each other,” Raecker said.

He went on to say, that being chosen as a School of Character is not an easy feat.  There is a very specific point system used in 11 different character traits.

“That’s why (the award) is so exclusive,” Raecker said.

“This is a really, really, really big deal,” said Jeske.

No Iowa schools have been selected as a School of Character in the last three or more years.

“We really have awesome kids…you’re respectful, welcoming…and I couldn’t be more proud of all of you,” Jeske told the fifth through eighth grade students.

Raecker said, Character.org represents the recognition of the best schools in our country. RBMS is now part of the list, but it doesn’t stop there.  As a winner of a state level award, RBMS is now also up for consideration of receiving a National School of Character award.  That decision will be made by character.org sometime in May. Theres more to read! Check out your E-Edition or Eagle Grove Eagle Newspaper. 

The Eagle Grove Eagle

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