Students are nominated by their teachers, who must write a brief description of the ways they have shown strengths in a Moral Focus virtue. Greensboro, and all National Heritage Academies (NHA) schools, learn about nine Moral Focus virtues throughout the school year, including wisdom, respect, gratitude, self-control, perseverance, courage, encouragement, compassion, and integrity.
On the third Friday of each Month, Greensboro invites that month’s students and their parents for a special lunchtime together. It’s a special moment for the school, which was named as a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School, one of just eight in the state of North Carolina.
“Only those students being recognized and their parents are invited to the gym, which provides for a more intimate setting,” Greensboro Kindergarten Teacher Anne Shaw said. “Students are recognized individually, and the teacher’s comments are read aloud. Parents are also recognized for their support at home.”
Recipients of the Moral Focus Lunch award at Greensboro.
That parental partnership is such an important part of the work done at Greensboro, and Shaw said it’s been nice to see it increasing again after the pandemic.
“This program has helped increase parent presence in the building, which had declined during COVID, and has been enthusiastically received by parents and students.”
Great work showcasing the Moral Focus efforts by scholars and their families, Greensboro!
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About Greensboro Academy
Greensboro Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Greensboro, North Carolina, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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