Northfield Area Learning Center received a 2018 Minnesota Promising Practice Award May 10 at the Character Recognition Awards ceremony in St. Paul.

Northfield Area Learning Center was one of six schools and four community programs honored by Synergy & Leadership Exchange for excellence in character and ethical leadership development. The celebration coincided with Governor Dayton’s proclamation of May 10 as Character Recognition Day. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon presented the proclamation at the ceremony.

The award was received for the practice “Implementing Social Emotional Learning Curriculum.” Using multiple social emotional learning models, a curriculum was developed and is being implemented during advisory period to enhance students’ personal responsibility. Students plan service activities to give back to the community and are working to ensure there is a respectful and welcoming atmosphere for new students.

“We have implemented social emotional learning curriculum with topics such as gratitude, self-control, kindness, forgiveness, creativity and curiosity,” said ALC director Daryl Kehler. “Our goal is to provide a safe, welcoming and respectful environment so using this curriculum assists with promoting our goals.”

The practice is having a positive effect at the school. Recent survey results show 100 percent of students feel welcomed at school, respected and safe.

The Minnesota Promising Practices Award celebrates unique and effective practices schools have created that promote character development. The practices are shared on the Synergy website where other schools can be inspired by or replicate them in their own schools. Synergy has presented 86 Minnesota Promising Practices Awards since 2008.