Citizenship is the sixth pillar in the Character Counts program and is essential to developing strong communities, according to Lt. Col. Brian Zarchin, Headquarters Battalion commander.
Members of Headquarters Battalion concluded the Character Counts program at Fort Belvoir Elementary School by discussing the value of good citizenship with students Tuesday.
Zarchin and Battalion Command Sgt. Maj. Carolyn Reynolds led Soldiers into classrooms to discuss topics such as supporting the community, helping friends and even rescuing cats from trees.
Citizenship, the last lesson of the Character Counts program, tied six pillar discussions together and reinforced what students have learned throughout the program, Reynolds said.
"I've had kids come up to me in the Commissary and say 'I remember you,'" Reynolds said. "I ask them about the pillars and they'll say what each one is and means. Each pillar complements each other and meshes well together."
Character Counts is part of the Josephson Institute's Six Pillars of Character approach to character education. The six pillars include trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. Zarchin and Reynolds believe the program allows Soldiers to teach Army values in a manner that's appealing to children.
During the citizenship discussion, battalion Soldiers talked to students about making a positive impact on a community. Zarchin used the U.S. presidency as an example. Only one citizen can be president per term but it takes an entire community of workers to help the nation's commander lead the country, Zarchin said.
"It's all about making our communities and schools better places," Zarchin said. "Citizenship is essential for the country's success."
Students also provided their own examples of good citizenship during the instruction. Examples included, calling the police when a cat is stuck in a tree, helping parents with cleaning dishes and following the rules.
Fourth grader Yeshua Hawkins said he learned the importance of stopping bullying. If he ever stumbled upon a student intimidating another student, Hawkins said he would tell the bully to stop and also find an adult for help. Hawkins said they're additional ways students can practice good citizenship.
"We can help the community by cleaning trash up from the sidewalks and we can do chores to help," Hawkins said. "Citizenship at school is doing homework, helping others when they're in need and respecting others and your teachers."
Soldiers have visited the elementary school once-a-month, over a six month period, since November 2012. The Character Counts program has gone well, according to Zarchin.
"I think the metric for measuring success has been coming back every month and hearing what the kids remember," Zarchin said. "The kids understand what the pillars mean and they repeatedly rattle them off and reiterate exactly what we've been talking about."
Monica Crossley, Armed Forces Foundation school counselor working with FBES, said the Character Counts program and battalion Soldiers have positively impacted students.
"Students and staff have brought into making this an intricate part of our community," Crossley said.
Battalion and school officials will conclude the Character Counts program by taking a group photo of students and Soldiers at 1:30 p.m. today. The group will form the symbols for the six character pillars outside the elementary school.
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