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Character Counts program spotlights citizenship; state's attorney and volunteers recognized
Summary
Character Counts representatives reported statewide-style program growth, high positive-impact survey responses from coaches and teachers, and a summer expansion of programming; Queen Anne's County State's Attorney Lance Richardson and his office were recognized in July's spotlight.
Character Counts presented its July spotlight at the July 8 Queen Anne's County Commissioners meeting, reporting program expansion, high satisfaction among coaches and teachers, and new summer and school-year initiatives.
Melinda Ray, Character Counts program director, told commissioners the program achieved 100% coverage in kindergarten through fifth-grade classes for the second consecutive year and placed coaches in all four middle schools and at the homeschooling co-op. Ray said the program expanded student ambassadors to 14 ambassadors across seven elementary schools and that the ambassadors helped produce segments with the county's public-access TV station.
Ray summarized end-of-year survey results: "95% of our coaches felt there was a positive impact in the classroom, 97% of teachers said our coaches created a positive impact, and 73% of third- through fifth-grade students reported a positive impact; 81% said they loved having Character Counts," she said on the record. Ray said the program has 43 enrolled 'businesses of character' with a goal to reach 50 by the end of the summer, and that lessons are being distributed through Queen Anne's County Parks & Recreation summer programs and Horizons offerings.
The commissioners' July spotlight recognized Queen Anne's County State's Attorney Lance Richardson for his long-term volunteer coaching and support for the Drug Free Coalition and Character Counts. Richardson said his office partners with Character Counts and that multiple prosecutors in his office volunteer as coaches. "My office has a great partnership with Character Counts," Richardson said, and he encouraged residents to consider coaching.
Ray said she is piloting an eighth-grade student-government program at Stevensville Middle School and planned a meeting with Queen Anne's County High School's principal and the interim superintendent to explore high-school engagement. She also described efforts to create resource libraries in elementary schools so coaches can access books and lessons without traveling to a central office.
Commissioners thanked Ray and the volunteers; staff said the county will publicize fall recruiting for coaches and a family event planned for October at Dominic's Farm in Queenstown.
Ray and commissioners emphasized volunteer recruitment and sustaining the program's coverage next school year.
