Wheels Meals Heals and Deals Building Community on

Wheels, Meals, Heals and Deals: Building Community… on the Bus, in the Cafeteria and Beyond Dr. Julie Sperry Senior Programming Consultant

Wheels+: Building a Community of Character: On the Bus…In the Cafeteria…In the Office… Today’s Goals: – Talk about the WHY – Experience parts of the WHAT (the training) – Discuss ways to adapt and present to all support staff Outcomes: – Creates stronger bond and sense of belonging for all staff – Gives support staff the support and tools to use as they strengthen community in their area – Gives students an increased sense of belonging and safety in that area (bus, cafeteria, office, etc. ) – Positively impacts behavior and level of respect

How intentional are you being? What do your currently offer?

Extending the Idea of Wheels… • • • Meals: nutrition/ cafeteria staff Heals: school nurses Deals: school secretaries Custodians (no rhyming name ) Other support staff (aides, clerks, etc. ) 4

WHEELS+ Character Education For Bus Drivers and Beyond “Bringing the culture of character education from the classroom to the bus” 5

Wheels: Building a Community of Character on the Bus • Outcomes: – Gives bus drivers support and tools to use as they strengthen community on the bus – Gives students an increased sense of belonging and safety on the bus – Positively impacts bus behavior and overall safety 6

Wheels: Building a Community of Character on the Bus • Benefits for drivers: – Often their first professional development experience focused exclusively on them. It shows them they are a valued part of the school community. – Offers a chance to talk about challenges, and opens lines of communication with supervisors (we request that a supervisor attend the training). – Gives insight into what a school day is like for students.

“For millions of children across the country, the bus driver is the bridge between home and school — the first staff member they see in the morning and the last in the afternoon. ” -Thomas Mc. Mahon, “Out of the Mouths of Babes, ” School Bus Fleet, November 18, 2010 8

What is WHEELS®? To develop it in young people To identify the causes To explore solutions To identify your core values To establish and maintain with students To connect to the schools To create community on the bus 9

What Develops Character? • • • They have to see it: Role Models They have to feel it: Healthy relationships They have to know it: Define & Discuss They need to skills to express it They need opportunities to express it… problem-solve, lead, serve 10

Simple Truths • • Students need positive role models. You cannot choose to not be a role model. The only choice you are given is what you model. Character education without positive role models is hypocrisy. 11

We’d love to hear from you! Julie Sperry: jsperry@edplus. org Characterplus. org