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Radix Elementary School

Grades PreK–4
Williamstown, New Jersey
Public/Rural
Enrollment 725
Monroe Township Public Schools
2007 National School of Character

It’s one of the best ventures on which you’ll ever embark.
Raymond C. Dinovi, Jr., Principal

In the past, students at Radix were extrinsically rewarded for exhibiting good character.  However, during teacher focus groups, teachers discussed how “extrinsic rewards just don’t work.” Their new philosophy stresses the positive feeling, the intrinsic reward that comes from exhibiting good character. Third grade teacher Kelly Dillich said, “The students have a sense of pride to do their best. I think they have a sense of doing it intrinsically.” One school bulletin board that reads, “Don’t forget your “RESPECT-acles” shows the faces of children, each wearing glasses (their RESPECT-acles). On the glasses children wrote ways they could demonstrate respect. Teacher Rachel Iaconelli developed this creative approach to reinforcing respect with her students. She shared this idea with other staff, and RESPECT-acles appeared on display all over the building. Staff at Radix support each other and share ideas that work, creating a sense that all must work together to be successful.

Read more about Radix in the 2007 NSOC book:  A Big Vision and a Big Heart

SIGNATURE PRACTICES

Featured Lesson Plan: Bully Prevention
Elementary students learn the difference between bulling and “fooling around.”

Lesson Plan: Holiday Cookie Exchange
Elementary students learn respect as they explore the jobs adults do in their school and create gifts for the custodial staff.

Lesson Plan: Whoever You Are
Elementary students explore cultural differences.

Lesson Plan: Sharing in the Classroom
Elementary students explore ways they can share in the classroom.

Lesson Plan: The Crayon Box That Talked
PreK and Kindergarten students learn acceptance of others through a powerful poem.

Sample Practice: Character Education Assessment Rubric (link to Sample-Radix-rgb.pdf)
Teachers use a rubric to assess their students’ understanding of character traits during writing assingments.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Christine E. Gehringer, Lead Teacher
Radix Elementary School
363 Radix Road
Williamstown, NJ 08094
Telephone: (856) 728-8650, ext. 6008
E-mail: cgehringer@monroetwp.k12.nj.us
Web site: www.monroetwp.k12.nj.us/es/radix