IN Peters Township December 2018/January 2019 | Page 43

20 YEARS OF
MEMORABLE
PTCC EVENTS AND
EXPERIENCES
PTSA, local
churches, Rotary
and the Township
Council come
together,”
continues
Christian
Lesnett, Assistant
Principal of
Peters Township
High School.
All who live
and/or work in
Representatives from the District, Chamber of Commerce and Rachel’s
Peters Township
Challenge at the Rachel’s Challenge event.
are welcome
to participate.
promoting Respect, Responsibility and
PTCC gathers monthly for a one-
Honesty throughout the community.
hour meeting at rotating locations
“Many of those who were involved at
that includes lunch and discussion
the grassroots level of the initiative went
around local character initiatives and
on to serve in leadership positions in
how the community can support one
the community including the Chamber
another in seeing those through. Awards
of Commerce, township offices and as
ceremonies are held in the fall and spring
school board members,” says Freado.
to recognize individuals and groups
Over the years, the chamber, school
that have gone above and beyond in
board and council adopted and
demonstrating character. In addition to
reaffirmed resolutions, continuing their
monthly meetings and seasonal awards
commitment to PT Character Counts.
ceremonies, PTCC plays host to larger
Representatives from the community
community initiatives.
began meeting monthly to share ideas
“This year, we have made some changes
and begin networking in support of
in the structure of the organization
teaching and promoting the core values
to better incorporate community
within their respective organizations and
participation,” explains Lesnett.
throughout the community.
Three facilitators now coordinate the
The Peters Township School District
group—Christian Lesnett representing
served as the centerpiece of the initiative.
the school district; Captain Jen Ford,
Teachers and administrators established
representing the Police Department
character education committees and
and the township; and Kelley Keane,
worked to integrate curriculum, hold
representing the Chamber of Commerce
assemblies and carry out service projects.
and the community. The new team of
The district worked with community
facilitators is growing the organization
members to develop and sustain a
to highlight local businesses each
comprehensive approach to character
month that are demonstrating positive
education that reached all aspects of
character and making a difference in the
life in the schools and community. This
community.
same vision continues today by a new
In addition to featuring an
generation of school and community
“organization of the month,” PTCC forms
members and leaders.
committees within to accomplish various
“PTCC has played a role in
initiatives that spring up during meetings.
promoting character through lessons
The originator of the idea typically
in the classroom and community
leads committees with support from a
projects and events on topics such as
representative from each of the member
patriotism, sportsmanship, ethics in
organizations.
business, bullying, kindness and more,”
For more information or to join
says Freado.
Peters Township Character Counts, visit
“PTCC is now a group that serves as
ptsd.k12.pa.us/charactercounts.aspx, and
the single confluence for all community
add your name to the mailing list. Visit
entities that serve Peters Township.
the Peters Township School District’s
PTCC is where Police, Fire, Schools,
Facebook page to see a video about the
Parks and Rec, Chamber of Commerce,
history of PTCC.   ■
PETERS TOWNSHIP
• A Rally for America in
November 2001 following the
events of 9/11. American flags
were displayed throughout
the community for months
and more than 1,000 people
attended the rally at PTHS
Stadium. These rallies have
continued at the 10- and
15-year anniversaries in
remembrance.
• School assemblies featuring
a former PT student who
survived the attack on
the Pentagon.
• Rachel’s Challenge – A
significant commitment on the
part of the school district to
promote kindness in response
to the violence in schools.
Considerable community
support helped make
this possible.
• School and community
programs to address bullying.
• Youth Exemplifying
Sportsmanship (Y.E.S.)
programs to promote
positive coaching.
• Miss America 2001, Angela
Baraquio, came to PT for
school assemblies and a
community event to promote
a shared cause to prevent
bullying. The PTMS auditorium
was packed for the community
event. “This was the first time
we gave PTCC Recognition
Awards,” says Freado. “I recall
a young McMurray student
being recognized for donating
locks of her hair to Locks of
Love to help cancer patients.”
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