The purpose of Character Counts is to teach young people about the Six Pillars of Character.  These values, which transcend divisions of race, creed, politics, gender and wealth, are: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

    This program strives to build consensus that there are values that clearly define us at our best, however diverse our views and backgrounds.  It follows that such values are worthy of promotion where they are evident and of repair where they have faltered.  The program builds awareness of these consensus values and teaches them to the young in support of the paramount role of parents.

****** The character pillar for the month of May is "Caring ." the students at Hurlock are just finishing a fund - raising drive for St. Jude's Research Hospital. The hospital, founded by the late entertainer, Danny Thomas, opened in 1962. It's research has helped bring the acute lymphoblastic leukemia ( the most common form of childhood cancer) cure rate up from 45 to 805. St. Jude's also treats children with genetic immune defects and pediatric AIDS.

             The students will also collect pennies for The American Leukemia Society for the first three weeks of May. The classroom that collects the most pennies will be treated to a pizza party.

             Hurlock Elementary School also received a letter and certificate from the Save The Children Organization thanking us for collecting money for the Tsunami Relief effort.

              Our students exemplify the pillar of "Caring!"