Fresno Unified to Teach Character Education

October 14, 2005 -- Fresno Unified and Fresno's mayor have often been at odds with each other. But on Friday, they announced a unique partnership.

There was a colorful ceremony to show community wide support for Character Counts.

Character education is now being taught in the county's three largest school districts. Clovis Unified was the pioneer, adopting the curriculum in 1998. Central Unified followed, but it wasn't until this year that the Valley's largest school district, Fresno Unified, implemented the program.

Students say they are excited about it. "It's a new beginning for us when it comes to character, most kids have not been presented with it. So hopefully it will work for us," said student Monica Lopez.

The program consists of teaching students the six pillars of character: respect, fairness, trustworthiness, caring, responsibility and citizenship.

Rio Vista Middle School student Nick Mejia was singled out as someone who exhibits good character. He lost a leg to bone cancer when he was five-years-old and now visits kids in the hospital, telling them not to give up.

"Everyone should help someone else in life, because its the right thing to do. You should do it from the heart," said Nick.

Fresno Mayor Alan Autry says grown ups need to follow the example of students like Nick and plans to bring character education to city hall.

"We look forward to taking the principal of Character Counts and putting them in the culture here at city hall and we are so pleased to follow Fresno Unified's lead," said Autry.

Fresno Unified will provide the staff to train four employees at city hall, whose jobs will be to teach character and ethical behavior to city staffers.

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