First consider your school culture and its needs. The principal, administration, and staff have to believe in the program and fully support it in order to be successful. – Mark Narkier, Principal

“In an age of accountability and high-stakes testing, what is different about our school is its focus on the whole child,” notes Mark Nakier, principal of Wilton Manors Elementary School, a magnet school with a 78 percent minority population just north of Ft. Lauderdale. That focus is the result of much research on the way children learn and the commitment of a core leadership team that knew Wilton Manors had to change in order to survive. For Wilton Manors students, each year becomes an amazing journey to peace. The Passport to Peace initiative guides a very diverse student body to develop “attitudes” characteristic of good global citizens. Academically rigorous, this Title I school in which 72 percent of its students qualify for free or reduced cost lunch is amazing in another way too: Its rating by the state of Florida soared from D to A.

Read more about Wilton Manors in the 2008 NSOC book: “Traveling with a Passport to Peace”

SIGNATURE PRACTICES

Featured Lesson Plan: The Power of Words
The children’s classic The Ugly Duckling proves to be an excellent read aloud to prompt discussions on caring, empathy, tolerance, and respect.

Sample Practice: It’s All about My Attitude
Students reflect upon poor choices and make connections to core values.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Ana M. Leon, Guidance Counselor
Wilton Manors Elementary School
2401 NE Third Avenue
Wilton Manors, FL 33305
Telephone: (754) 322-8961
E-mail: ana.leon@browardschools.com
Web site: www.wiltonmanorselementary.com