DOWNEY - The Downey Unified School District has been named a Character Counts exemplary school district, this after over a decade of character education programs in each of Downey’s public schools.

The announcement was made during a Character Counts coalition meeting on Jan. 28.

“We are proud to designate the Downey Unified School District with the prestigious honor of attaining the designation of Character Counts exemplary school district,” said Scott Raecker, executive director of the Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University, which is the global home to the Character Counts initiative.

“The Ray Center is proud to continue to work with the Downey Unified School District to maintain Character Counts exemplary school district status in the years to come.”

Downey Unified has reinstated a multi-year commitment for a continued integration of the Character Counts framework that includes significant faculty/staff training, student leadership engagement, parent connectivity, utilization of classroom resources, special projects and community engagement.

Downey Unified will continue to provide Character Counts Pursuing Victory With Honor professional development to all coaches as a tool to impart strategies to help implement character development into their work with student-athletes.

In addition, over the next three years Downey Unified will select “Character Champions” at each school who will have the opportunity to participate in one-day professional development sessions focused on specific aspects of character development based on the needs of teachers and schools. 

The district will also receive monthly support provided by Character Counts Master Trainers so that staff have a continuous stream of resources and information to use across Downey Unified.

Joining Downey Unified’s Board of Education and staff were Downey Mayor Blanca Pacheco, Downey Police Chief Dean Milligan and Captain Leslie Murray, Downey Fire Chief Mark Gillaspie, as well as members from the Downey Foundation for Educational Opportunities, Downey Family YMCA, ASPIRE, Gangs Out of Downey and the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.

 Prior to the announcement being made, attendees heard a presentation from Downey Unified’s Senior Director of Student Safety, Wellness and Engagement, Dr. Robert Jagielski.  Dr. Jagielski presented on the latest Character Counts happening within the schools as well as what character education looks like on a daily basis.