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n April 2021, leaders from the Department of School Culture and Climate joined a professional learning opportunity with Madera County Superintendent of Schools: Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Community of Practice (CoP). Participation in this led to an opportunity for a mini-SEL grant from MCSOS, from the Cal-HOPE Grant funding this CoP.

Our district received $15,000 to fund a character education initiative, titled, We Believe in Character. This grant supports Kinder-12th instructional lessons (designed by the Culture & Climate TSAs), supplementary resources for elementary counselors, and a district recognition program. 

The district monthly character-trait focus began in 2021 / 22. Schools embedded with other school climate recognition systems. Each quarter, sites nominate students from the following grades: Kinder-3rd, 4th-6th, 7th-8th and 9th-12. K-6 schools nominate two, K-8-three, Middle School — two and High Schools — four students each quarter. Students are honored for the exemplary demonstration of character traits.

Honorees receive a Student Hero t-shirt, plaque and certificate. Their families receive a yard sign to proudly display a MUSD Student Hero Lives Here. In Madera Unified, we believe a true hero’s strength isn’t measured in the size of their strength, but in the strength of their character.