The Academy hosts and participates in a number of conferences, awards banquets, and workshops throughout the year.

THE MAJOR PROGRAMS OF THE ACADEMY

(a) Northeast United State 13th Annual Conference on Character Education (October 25, 2012):

This year’s theme is  "The Transforming Power of Character Education: Successful Strategies for Building Dynamic Classrooms, Nurturing School Climate and Infusing Common Core Standards with Academic Excellence".  Held at  The Sage Colleges Albany Campus from 8AM - 4PM, it will feature Lee Hirsch, the Director of the documentary "Bully",  as our keynote speaker.  The conference also features over two dozen breakout sessions including state and national award winning schools. Over two hundred twenty-five educators and community leaders attended the 2011 conference. Click here for 2012 Conference details including on-line registration and hotel information. This event is co-sponsored by Capital Region BOCES.

(b) The Academy's 3rd Annual International Bullying Prevention Awareness Month  October, 2012:

 "STAND UP for CHARACTER-DOWN to BULLYING".  This is coordinated in conjunction with the National Bullying Prevention month initiative.  This year The Academy has established a list of Resources to help implement and promote Bullying Prevention initiatives in schools, businesses and community organizations.  Communities are urged to pass resolutions proclaiming October as Bullying Prevention month.  We also urge all classrooms, schools and school districts to plan some project which places an emphasis on helping prevent this growing problem and register it with The Academy.  All Bullying Prevention projects that are registered will be listed on the web site.  Each month this page will feature one of these projects.  Let's show New York State that we all STAND UP for CHARACTER- DOWN to BULLYING!

(c)10th Annual Youth Leadership Summit (December 6, 2012):

Teams of middle and high school students, teachers and parents from twenty Capital Region school districts come together to learn many applications of character education from experts and each other. The inspired results are then developed into action plans for their schools. For additional details and registration please contact Carolyn Bradley at cbradley9@nycap.rr.com.

(d) NYS Schools of Character and Champions of Character Awards (2013):

(1) The 10th Annual Champions of Character Awards are presented to exemplary teachers, administrators, schools, students, parents, business and community leaders and business and community organizations .  Champions of Character Nominations are due by November 27, 2012.

(2) The Academy will present the 6th annual New York State School of Character (NYSSOC) Awards in conjunction with the national Character Education Partnership. Schools/school districts selected for the New York State Awards move on to the national level. NYSSOC applications are due by Dec. 1, 2012.

(3) The Sage Colleges Champions of Character Awards are presented to exemplary administrators, faculty, staff and students.  The Sage Colleges nominations are due by November 27, 2012.

(e) The Champions of Character Banquet will be held on Wednesday April 10th, 2013 at Franklin Plaza to recognize all Champions of Character honorees.  Almost three hundred attended this event in 2012. See above for nominations information.

(f) Summer Inner City Program for Students and Families (July, 2013):

In its eleventh year this exciting venture is organized in partnership with the Troy Housing Authority and Pioneer Bank. Held each weekday morning  in July, it creates positive character trait reinforcement, academic enrichment and enthusiasm for inner city students in grades 1-6 and their families.

(g) 2nd Annual "The Difference is....YOU!" (Resilience in the workplace: Enhancing a positive environment).  Program for business and community leaders To be held in the Fall of 2013 . Watch this site for details.

____________________________________________________________________

For additional information contact The Academy at 518-244-2336 or walkoj@sage.edu

The Academy has two volunteer boards: The Leadership Board of teachers, school administrators and community organization representatives, meets monthly and helps organize The Academy's major programs. This board holds a Retreat each summer. The Community Advisory Board of public officials, business and community organization leaders and school administrators, meets 3-4 times a year.

The Academy also reaches out to the community with special programs. A focus group is developing a character education and special needs program. Additional focal points include: Moral and Performance Character, Bullying Prevention and Service Learning. On site workshops are held for educators, community groups and businesses.

Click here for information about and a listing of members of both boards