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Character counts
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .The team of the "Character Counts" assembly managed to share a positive message to the students of Watson Elementary while also having some fun by inviting them to wave their hands in the air.
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In a lesson about good citizenship, the students were asked to rise to say the pledge of allegiance. Austin Ladd (left) and Dontae Norman (right) did their civic duty with pride.
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The performers in "Character Counts" taught the students of Watson about important traits like responsibility with catchy songs where the kids were invited to sing along.
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Character Counts has visited Watson Elementary many times, but Watson kindergarteners (first rows) witnessed the show for the first time on Feb. 3.
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Watson was taught about positive virtues by characters like Captain Caring (on perch), who told the children to be considerate and thoughtful of others by doing things like volunteering.
By SARAH FOOR
Students at Watson Elementary learned all about positive character traits and responsible decision-making on Feb. 3 with a visit from Primary Focus, a group of college-aged performers who entertained with a song and dance presentation teaching the kids that “Character Counts: It’s Your Choice!”
Road manager Nathan Buresh explained how the Primary Focus team came together.
“Everyone on our team takes a year off from college to tour the country to share a positive message. We hope that the time we take off shows how much we believe in what we’re performing, and helps the students think of us less like adults and more like mentors.”
The “Character Counts” assembly was introduced by principal Shelia Palombo, who shared that she had never seen the assembly.
“I know [former principal] Mr. Carchedi invited Primary Focus back every year, but I’ll be watching this show with new eyes, like our kindergartners.”
The “Character Counts” show followed the story of Gabby, who had trouble writing an essay about what she wants to do with her life. She naps and finds herself in dream world where familiar faces teach her that being a person of good character involves trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship, and that these qualities will be beneficial no matter what path she chooses in life.
The tenants of good character were explained in catchy pop tunes that made them easy to remember for the Watson students.
Buresh said Primary Focus’s goal is simple.
“We just hope to provide kids with a moral compass and a straightforward process to follow to be good people.”