* Editor’s Note: In the June 4 issue of the Callaway Courier we spotlighted Callaway Public School’s recently awarded grant to help purchase sensory products to enhance learning for children with specific needs. In part two of our spotlight on how CPS is educating the whole child, we are featuring a unique program that has received national recognition for the school .

There was a time when the only focus of public schools was to teach children the fundamentals of subjects such as math, reading, writing, and science. In the past couple of decades, schools have shifted, recognizing that there is more than just subject matter involved in producing a healthy, well-rounded child. We now call it “social-emotional learning” - but the truth is, the concept has been around for a long time.

Teachers these days are faced with more complex situations with students than ever before, putting school districts in a unique position of not only educating, but also socializing students. That is something Callaway Public Schools does very well. So much so, in fact, that the school has been named a 2026 Character Strong Certified Spotlight School.

Character Strong is a curriculum-based program designed to increase belonging, well-being, and engagement for students and staff. CPS has now completed two years of the program, and both students and teachers agree that the program has positively impacted the elementary school.

Elements of Character Strong are incorporated throughout the school day at CPS, beginning first thing in the morning when students arrive. “Every morning, each elementary teacher is greeting their students at the door with a warm welcome, including their names. It is so important to use each student’s name in a positive way to start each day,” explained Callaway Elementary Principal Brittany Jesseph.

After the success they saw with students during the first year of implementing the program, the administration at CPS brought resource teacher Karen Weverka on to facilitate the program and provide classroom lessons for the students. “It all began when we heard about the warm welcomes and different grouping strategies at ESU10,” said Weverka. “Kids buy in when their name is used in a positive light, so we started with that.”

That looks different for each teacher, and sometimes each child. Some kids, for example, prefer a hug while others are more comfortable with a handshake or a fist bump. One teacher has “secret” handshakes with each of her students. “I have had to memorize 17 different handshakes this year, and will start over next year,” Crysta Anderson shared with a chuckle.

Mrs. Jesseph also makes an effort to greet each child in the morning, addressing them by name. Prior to being greeted by their teachers, every day begins in the cafeteria with a morning announcement, which Jesseph said is specifically linked to whatever character trait they are working on that month. The teacher who delivers the Character Strong announcement that day also leads the pledge and then does the following chant: “I am a wonderful kid.” “I am a happy, healthy, and intelligent child.” I accomplish great results.” I am a positive thinker.” and “Today is going to be an amazing day.”

“The students call back after each statement so that all students start their day with five positive affirmations,” said Weverka. “That sets the tone for the day.”

The Character Strong program has been so successful at Callaway Public Schools, that the district not only earned spotlight recognition, but Weverka and Jesseph have also been invited to do a presentation at the national conference on how the school has implemented the program. The ladies will travel to Tacoma, Washington, next month to attend and present at that conference.

“This program has only been successful at Callaway because the teachers have completely bought in to it,” Jesseph added.

Weverka explained that the educational materials incorporated into the Character Strong program include some wonderful books that she reads to the kiddos on topics such as World War II, the Holocaust, and other historical and important topics. “Even the older kids still love being read to,” she added.

“They have put the curriculum together in just a magnificent way. The lessons have a song, and we developed hand gestures so they can remember the different traits,” Weverka continued. “It’s just wonderful.”

Not wanting the kids to miss any of the lessons, Weverka and Jesseph got creative to accommodate early outs and breaks. “For example, to get all of the ideas and lessons delivered before Thanksgiving break, we had Character Strong rotations in the gym. Every classroom teacher had a rotation,” Jesseph explained. “We read the book suggested for each class that week at one station, we played the games for each class at another, we sang the songs at a station, while one station had all of the quotes presented and the pictures showing something about that area of study. There was a gratitude snowball fight with paper snowballs that had items to show thankfulness, and we also did a mental scavenger hunt where we thought of things we were thankful for that met certain criteria.”

The passion that Weverka and Jesseph have for Character Strong is very obvious when they talk about the program and its implementation at Callaway Public School. We will continue our feature on how CPS is impacting students far beyond the classroom in next week’s Courier.