CRESTVIEW — First- and fourth-graders in city schools will have good character traits reinforced thanks to a partnership between the Crestview Fire Department and The Ambassador Company publishers.
Chief Joe Traylor said he and his firemen joined with the publisher of childhood character development books after seeing first-hand the problems caused by bad influences.
“In my position I see how the loss of good character traits leads to school disruption, juvenile delinquency, broken families and future criminals,” Traylor wrote to community business leaders.
After reviewing the books, “My Favorite Book” and “The Way to Go,” Traylor pronounced them “very appropriate for the age and they deal with integrity issues.”
With the books funded through private donations, “it costs the city nothing,” Traylor told the City Council.
The fire department is listed as the program sponsor in the front of each book, and the books are accompanied by teacher lesson plans, parent information, a family discussion guide, and “thank you” notes the students can send to the sponsor.
Traylor said his firemen will help deliver the books to area students, probably beginning in 2015 after local business sponsors are secured to cover printing costs.
“This is the time in their lives when they are consciously and unconsciously choosing paths they will follow to adulthood,” Traylor stated in a letter to potential community partners.
THE CHARACTER PROGRAM
The Ambassador Company publishers’ “Character Program” incorporates the books “My Favorite Book” and “The Way to Go” to instill lessons about good manners, personal responsibility, respect of self and others, honesty, importance of family, dangers of harmful drugs, importance of helpful people in the community, kindness and compassion, cooperation, and gratitude.
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Fire department sponsors Your Character book program