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 States 12^th Annual Conference on Character Education (November 2, 2011): This year’s theme is “Dignity for All Students: Character Education Paves the Pathway for the Supportive Learning Environment Students Need To Succeed.” Held on the campus of The Sage College of Albany on Wednesday, November 2, 2011, the theme refers to the DASA legislation which goes into effect on July 1, 2012. One source of information about this act is: http://www.nyclu.org/issues/lgbt-rights/dignity-all-students-act. The conference also features over two dozen breakout sessions including state and national award winning schools and is held on Albany Campus of The Sage Colleges from 8 AM-4 PM. Over two hundred twenty-five educators and community leaders attended the 2010 conference. Click here for 2011 Conference details including on line registration and hotel information. This event is co-sponsored by Capital Region BOCES.

(b) The 2^nd Annual Anti-Bullying Awareness Month in October, 2011: "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) 9th Annual Youth Leadership Summit (December 1, 2011): 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 Kay Bradley at cbradley9@nycap.rr.com.

(d) NYS Schools of Character and Champions of Character Awards (2012): The Academy will present the 5th 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.  Also presented will be the 9th Annual Champions of Character Awards to exemplary teachers, administrators, schools, students, parents, business and community leaders and business and community organizations. Award winners are honored at the Champions of Character Banquet on Tuesday, April 3, 2012  Almost three hundred attended this event in 2011. Details and Nomination forms will soon be found on the Awards and Competitions page. Champions of Character Nominations are due by November 7, 2011.  Also NYSSOC applications are due by Dec. 1, 2011.

(e) Summer Inner City Program for Students and Families (July, 2012): 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. In 2012 this program may expand beyond  its original it's origins in Troy to Schenectady and/or Albany.

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

The Academy has two volunteer boards: Our 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