Spirito, Crowley backing character education in Lynn schools

LYNN – School Committee member Vincent Spirito called on elementary schools to take a closer look at how they teach students good character Thursday night, and says he is hoping to get elements of his plan involved in the K-5 curriculum.
As gang violence continues to plague Lynn and teachers work to combat bullying and selfish behavior in younger students, Spirito is hoping that by teaching students to be good citizens at a young age, schools can curb the trend and turn out productive and polite members of society.
He has proposed installing a character education pilot program in the city’s elementary schools, and says it is important that every teacher, principal, administrator and School Committee member make a conscious effort to teach good character to all students.
“We are all character educators,” the former principal told the School Committee. “As educators, we have to help shape the character of the students that you come in contact with. I saw a list of the top 10 video games, and I think nine of them were considered violent. As educators we have to step up and make a positive impact in the lives of a child.”
City Councilor Paul Crowley first raised the idea of adding a character education program in the schools last July at a well-attended City Hall summit. Spirito, along with Superintendent Nicholas Kostan, School Committee Secretary Thomas Iarrobino and School Committee member John Ford then met with Crowley and discussed how they can start a program in the elementary schools, and have asked each principal to submit a one page document containing information on what they do to educate the character of their students.
Spirito said he is also talking to Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Susan Rowe to see if some elements of the program can be included in the curriculum.
Concepts touched on in the program would include teaching students responsibility, effort, cooperation, courtesy, citizenship, fairness and trustworthiness.
Along with the in-classroom instruction, the program would also include positive reinforcement such as assemblies or awards recognizing students for positive things they do in and out of the classroom.
“Kindergarten and Grade 1 is where it all begins. If we start teaching values now, it is what students need to become successful adults,” Spirito said.
Along with potentially adding the program to the curriculum, Spirito suggested running pilot programs at certain schools.