DANVILLE – It isn’t often that a small rural school achieves global recognition.
Danville Elementary is among 177 schools and organizations in the United States and six other countries to be selected for 2023 Promising Practice awards from Washington, D.C.- based Character.org.
Danville was selected for its annual Day of Service in May during which elementary children work to improve their campus while older students provide public service in the community, including helping senior citizens with yard work.
Laura Holler, now in her second year as elementary principal, was familiar with Character.org at her previous district.
“I saw the Day of Service here in Danville as an ideal candidate for a Promising Practice award,” she said. “This is definitely a day that highlights the benefits of being a small school district.
“Our students really get out there and make an impact brightening the corner where we are.”
Founded in 1993, the non-profit Character.org describes itself as a non-partisan organization that advocates for character.
According to its website, “Character.org is comprised of educators, researchers, business and civic leaders who care deeply about the vital role that character will play in our future.
“Our worldwide network empowers people of all ages to practice and model core values that shape our hearts, minds and choices.”
Lisa Muncie, an elementary intervention specialist, said the Day of Service began about a decade ago.
It is scheduled for the Friday before Mother’s Day. A list of jobs goes out and kids register.
“The elementary kids stay on school property, tending flower beds, picking up trash and placing mulch around the playground,” Muncie said. “The middle and high school students pick up trash around town, plant flowers and clean and paint buildings at the park.
“They also provide yard work for elderly residents, but aren’t allowed on ladders. All students wear gloves and are instructed not to pick up unsafe items.
“When we first started there was little buy-in from other kids. But as our elementary students moved on to middle school then to high school, we have complete buy-in now.” Holler and Muncie said there is an emphasis on safety during the Day of Service.
“The Danville Police Department has extra officers out. Our resource officer and entire maintenance staff participate too,” Holler said. “The food service staff provides box lunches.”
Every member of the district is involved in some way, from the teachers and students to the maintenance team and food service department.
Muncie said students’ participation in Day of Service has created a sense of pride among students and sharply decreased playground vandalism and trash after school hours and on weekends.
Sixth-graders Tessa Wittel, Duane Hochstetler and Sarah John are veteran participants in Day of Service.
“I feel good about it. It has made our school and community look better,” Wittel said.
John agreed: “I’m looking forward to it again next May.”
Hochstetler, who has pulled weeds and spread mulch, said, “I’m glad to be part of it.”
Danville and the other national and international Promising Practice award winners will be recognized during Character.org’s 30th anniversary International Forum Nov. 4 to 7 in
Washington, D.C. Danville Elementary plans to display a large Promising Practice banner.
Holler said Day of Service is about much more than the work that is done.
“It’s 100 percent a day about service learning and giving back to this community. That’s what is unique about it,” she said. “We want our students to be productive, involved members of the community.
“I believe that teaching character and community involvement is in some ways just as important as reading and writing.”
