Community Connections with Character
Apollo Beach Elementary believes the development of character education in children extends beyond the walls of their school. Each year, ABES faculty, with assistance from PTA, work diligently to spread its message of character into the community through family activities and the help of local business partners. These businesses display the school's monthly character trait on a marquee or window that is highly visible to the public. Students are encouraged to locate our character signs and turn in a list of participating businesses. The student who identifies the most businesses is recognized on a morning show. In addition, many of these businesses host family nights for the school and family members are quizzed on their knowledge of the character trait. The winners are awarded prizes by the businesses based on their correct answers.  Furthermore, the chamber of commerce assists by displaying the school's character message at special community functions and festivals – allowing additional outreach of the character education message.  The local newspaper is another significant character business partner. By publishing a picture monthly of students caught exhibiting the character trait of the month, the newspaper is showing children that good news is worth printing and acknowledging.