St. Sebastian School is the recipient of a National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) Distinguished Parent Partnership Award, school principal Paul Hohl announced today. St. Sebastian is one of five schools in the nation to receive this award.

The award recognizes outstanding contributions to Catholic elementary schools by home and school associations. School representatives will receive the award at the annual NCEA Convention, attended by thousands of Catholic educators from across the country, on April 2, in Atlantic City, N.J.

St. Sebastian is being honored for its Character Education Program, which was introduced during the 2000-01 academic year. The Character Education program was started to enhance the moral development of the students in a tangible, meaningful way both inside and outside the classroom.

"The St. Sebastian Character Education Program is a collaboration between students, staff and parents in the true spirit of Home and School," said Sue Olson, president of the Home and School Association. "As parents, we want our children to know that character counts at school, at home, and in the community. This effort between staff and parents is key to the successful character development of our children."

The cornerstone of the program is the School Covenant, which includes the core values of honesty, kindness, peacemaking, respect, and responsibility. The Covenant asks that students, staff and family members live as Jesus would, loving each other, respecting the community, and sharing in God's love. The Covenant is not just a promise to each other, it is a promise to God. The Covenant was written in a collaborative effort between students, parents and staff of St. Sebastian.

Pastoral staff members visited each classroom to provide a strong foundation for the Covenant. Parents, students, teachers and the principal each signed a copy of the Covenant to be displayed in the students' homes. A special prayer service was held to initiate the Covenant. Each student received a "WWJD" bracelet at the prayer service to serve as a reminder of the Covenant. A banner with the Covenant logo and the five aspects of the Covenant is on permanent display in the school as well as the Church.

"We recognized that raising an awareness of character development would affect behavior not only in the classroom, but at athletic events, school dances, forensic tournaments, scouting events and at home," commented Maureen O'Boyle, one of the key contributors on the Character Education Committee.