The School District of Palm Beach County, Florida - Other School Department Based Activities
Character Counts! In Palm Beach County
A foundation of ethics, values, and consideration of the common good underlie a community that serves its members, protects its needy, and supports the ethical treatment of all. Children and adolescents build foundation enduring beliefs about what is good or bad and what is important in life. These values serve as broad guidelines for living and provide an orientation for one’s desired future.
The Six Pillars of Character (Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Caring, Fairness, Citizenship) are adopted by the School District of Palm Beach County to guide students on this journey. They provide detail as to the kinds of knowledge, actions, and dispositions that contribute to a positive and supportive school climate, interpersonal success, and academic achievement.
The School District of Palm Beach County supports the development of ethical foundations of behavior in youth. The School District of Palm Beach County’s 2016-2021 Strategic Plan: Growing Strong, reflects a commitment to “ensuring a safe and supportive school climate that promotes the social/emotional and academic development of all students.”
The School District partners with Publix Supermarkets and the Sun Sentinel Newspaper Character Counts! Student Recognition Program, which recognizes students for their exemplary character. Positive student character is showcased and students are recognized through newspaper articles, awarding certificates, and this annual recognition event. We congratulate these students, their parents, their teachers, counselors, and school administrators for leading by example every day.
Over 30,000 Character Counts! certificates have been distributed to 93 District schools, allowing for many, many students to be recognized for the exemplary acts of character. The Character Counts! End of the Year Celebration recognized student representatives from 50 schools for their demonstration of one or more of the Six Pillars of Character.