The Character Education Partnership (CEP) has recognized Joseph J. Catena School from Freehold, NJ as a 2013 Promising Practice for their “Calling All SuperKids” Program.

Promising Practices in Character Education Announced for 2013

Hundreds of effective strategies that develop good character in young people are recognized.

June 20, 2013

Washington, DC – The Character Education Partnership (CEP) has recognized Joseph J. Catena School from Freehold, NJ as a 2013 Promising Practice for their “Calling All SuperKids” Program.

CEP is awarding 262 Promising Practices to schools, districts, and youth-serving organizations from across the United States as well as from Canada, China, India, Mexico, and New Zealand.

The Catena Elementary School has focused on character education for many years. The Character Development Team wanted a new and exciting way to reinforce the core values that their students have learned and demonstrated over the years. That's when the SuperKids were created! These super heroes became the new mascots who were displayed around the school to remind students to build a strong mind, body and character in everything they do. In September, the students were introduced to the new theme and mascots during an assembly where some of the staff dressed liked super heroes to show that they are Catena Strong. Students learned what it means to be strong in mind, body, and character and pledged to be a SuperKid at Catena.

The "Calling All SuperKids" Program allows the Joseph J. Catena School to keep character education infused into the daily academic curriculum and use technology to keep ideas relevant to children in the 21st century. The SuperKid Mascots deliver "instant messages" similar to the idea of "tweets" on Twitter focusing on the pillars of character education. The SuperKid instant messages focus on the core values and foster student connections to being "Catena Strong" in mind, body, and character. The students at Catena look forward to the weekly instant messages and the announcements of the Monthly Character SuperKids. The children recognized as monthly SuperKids are viewed as true character heroes by the student population, faculty, and parent community. The SuperKid Mascots show the students that having strong character is a "cool" way to conduct oneself. The Catena school is full of "SuperKids"!

Mr. Jeffrey Huguenin, Principal of Joseph J. Catena School believes that “this theme and its message were successful because they were embraced across all facets of the school; buses, lunchroom, classrooms, related arts settings, extracurricular programs, and parent sponsored events.  Being selected for a promising practice award is humbling and validates the consistent and genuine efforts of everyone, students and adults, at the Joseph J. Catena Elementary School.”  

This year’s winning practices include unique anti-bullying programs, creative ways to integrate character and academic subjects, effective strategies for developing student leadership, and activities that build community – within the school and beyond.

“These best practices offer educators and others working with young people practical ways to develop empathy, conflict resolution skills, and good citizenship,” said Lara Maupin, Program Director. “CEP is excited about being able to recognize these educators and share their work with others around the world.”