Orono middle school teachers bring Character Strong practices to sixth grade after foundation-funded training
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Summary
A team from Orono Middle School described implementing Character Strong, responsive-classroom practices and linked instruction on relationship and behavior skills to early reductions in behavior referrals.
A team of sixth‑grade teachers from Orono Middle School told the Orono Public Schools board they are implementing Character Strong and related strategies districtwide after receiving an innovation grant from the Orono Foundation to attend summer training.
Laurie Jensen, a middle school math teacher, said the national Character Strong conference the team attended "was 1 of the most amazing conferences that I've been to, and I've been around for a few years." Jensen said the program is research based and that the teachers returned intent on piloting structured lessons focused on communication, self‑control and cooperation.
The presenters — Jensen, math teacher Paige Roth and science teacher Diane Bacon — described practical classroom tactics: a Monday lesson structure with low‑stress warmups, community discussions and explicit skill practice; a "4 at the door" greeting routine to build relationships; and low‑stress activities (the presenters described a classroom "cheese" game) to encourage student conversation and practice speaking up. The team said they are aligning Character Strong with existing district frameworks such as Character Counts and Responsive Classroom.
The presenters described early results: teachers reported students are "more apt to share their thinking and not worry so much about if they're right or wrong," and the team noted a 37% reduction in behavioral referrals compared with the previous reporting period. The teachers said the work is focused on Tier 1 universal practices to teach behavior and relationship skills proactively; students identified as needing more support will be provided check‑ins, mentoring and behavior plans.
The team credited the Orono Foundation's Excellence Fund for the innovation grant and thanked the Spartan Parent Association for funding a recent Base Camp field trip that teachers said helped build student connectedness. Board members asked questions about early observations and next steps; presenters said they are sharing materials and practices beyond sixth grade to build capacity across the middle school.
Board Chair and other members praised the team's work and encouraged sharing outcomes with families as the program continues.