Fry’s funds Butterfield Elementary classroom management program

Character always counts. Recently that message was brought home for Butterfield Elementary staff members, and their students, in the form of a $1,500 scholarship from Fry’s Food Stores.

The monies will be utilized to enhance the Character Counts program at the school by implementing a new classroom management and discipline program called Character Always during the 2010-2011 school year.

The Character Always objective is to recognize students making good character choices through a positive discipline program, changing negative behavior to positive behavior. Students document their behavior on Character Cards so they establish ownership of their behaviors and are accountable for them through documentation. A third objective of the program is the establishment of a consistent discipline system throughout the school. Students know what is expected of them, and good behavior ultimately becomes simply the ‘right thing to do’ while good character is reinforced through recognition at school, including certificates that are sent home to parents.

Danielle Record, assistant principal at Butterfield, began working over a year ago to find program funding for her school.

“As students learn about each pillar of character, they also learn how to take responsibility for behaviors that do not coincide with the pillars (Trustworthiness, Responsibility, Fairness, Citizenship, Respect and Caring) through positive discipline strategies outlined in the program,” said Record. “Many positive benefits have been recognized from the schools that have implemented character education programs similar to the Character Always Program: 1) as negative student behaviors decrease, quality instructional time increases, 2) as negative student behaviors decrease, student ‘best-effort’ increases, 3) systemic practices include shared cultural norms, expectations and language which increases student understanding and familiarity, and 4) home-school partnerships are increased.” 
 
Kim Whitmyer, the founder of Character Always, spent 10 years as a teacher, and the program came from her experiences in the classroom. Whitmyer, who spent the afternoon training the Butterfield staff, has partnered for three years with Fry’s Marketplace to make the program possible at various schools. 

“Nothing’s going into education anymore,” said Whitmyer. “Fry’s finds a way to help.”

Maricopa Fry’s Marketplace manager James Briston was on hand, along with Fry’s community relations manager Pam Giannonatti, to present the $1,500 check to the Butterfield staff and their principal, Ember Conley.

“In smaller communities, especially with this economy, we need to help each other,” said Briston.

“James and I tip our hats to every one of you,” said Giannonatti. “We sincerely appreciate what you do for the children in this community.”

Photo: (left to right) Kim Whitmyer, Pam Giannonatti, James Briston, Ember Conley, Danielle Record.

Photos by Joyce Hollis