LaSalle Springs Middle School (LSMS) is a grade 6 – 8 school in St. Louis County, with a population of 930. A sense of family and community is prevalent within the school’s welcoming environment. Since 1992, LSMS has emphasized the ideals of respect, caring, kindness, and service to others. Character goals, activities, and lessons are reinforced every day. Teachers consistently model positive character education traits, and have integrated character education vocabulary and lessons into each of their curricular areas in order to meet the needs of the “whole child”. Positive character is a way of life at LSMS and drives our decision making as we always keep in mind what is best for the child. Long before school begins, our staff reaches out to families in the summer engaging parents through home visits, summer orientations and open house. Weekly academic and character updates are shared.as well. Four years ago, WEB -Where Everyone Belongs, a peer mentoring program in which students help each other transition to middle school was instituted and with student input our school touchstone was created. As we currently implement the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens program, students meet weekly in “iHabits” groups to learn to integrate these important character principles in their school and personal lives. Data from climate surveys, Missouri Assessment Program, and discipline reports are used to reflect upon and to adjust our character journey of continuous improvement.

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