Lessons on Values Ring True With State Group

An innovative character-development program, which blends old-fashioned moral values into the current-day curriculum of Ventura schools, has won a statewide honor for excellence.

The California School Boards Assn. has awarded the Golden Bell to the Ventura Unified School District for its Character Traits Education program, launched in 1993 as a way of teaching such staples as kindness and courtesy along with the regular academic diet of reading and arithmetic.

The brainchild of Supt. Joseph Spirito, the program is said to be responsible for helping reduce the number of fights, suspensions and other disciplinary problems on the district’s 23 campuses.

“I just can’t tell you how fantastic this is,” said Spirito, who learned of the award Friday. “I’m really proud of this program and I think it can really make a difference.”

Golden Bell awards are given annually by the Sacramento-based association to recognize teachers, administrators and board members who create innovative programs.

The Ventura district is among 60 award winners to be recognized at a Dec. 7 banquet.

“Essentially what we’re looking for is to recognize those educators who are investing extra energy and time in making a demonstrative difference for students,” said Gahmelah Riffia, statewide coordinator for the Golden Bell Awards program.

Ventura’s character-development program requires teachers and administrators to incorporate a different trait every month into the curriculum.

Nine traits have been selected: punctuality, responsibility, courtesy, cooperation, kindness, honesty, respect, sportsmanship and self-control.

At Saticoy School, for example, students are recognized for exhibiting the character traits and are treated to lunch. And at Loma Vista School, students have performed skits, written essays and received awards for exemplifying the selected character traits.

While there were concerns early on about such a morality-based curriculum, Spirito said those fears have been laid to rest.

“What good is it if we have a student who is good in math or social studies, but who has no character?” Spirito asked. “We’re going beyond the three Rs. We’re teaching kids to make good choices and to have mutual respect for one another.”