Somerset Elementary in Bellevue received a 2009 National Schools of Character Promising Practices Award at the 16th National Forum on Character Education held in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 29-31. Natasha Nimmo, Somerset parent, was on hand to accept the award on behalf of the school.

The Promising Practices Award is given by the Character Education Partnership (CEP) to schools that demonstrate “unique and exemplary practices that encourage the ethical, social and academic growth of K-12 students through character education.” CEP chose to recognize Somerset’s Ph.D. (ParentHood Development) Program as a model for other schools to engage parents in supporting their students and schools.

Winning practices included creative ways to help students give back to their schools and communities, raise academic expectations and achievement, decrease bullying, increase tolerance, and solve conflicts peacefully.

Based in Washington, D.C., CEP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nonsectarian coalition of organizations and individuals dedicated to helping schools develop people of good character for a just and compassionate society.

More information about Somerset’s Ph.D. program and a schedule of future Ph.D. presentations are available on the school’s website at www.somersetptsa.org/committees.

Future Ph.D. 2009-2010 dates are:

Nov 18: Writing Workshop for Parents

Dec 14: Helping Your Child/Teen Deal with Bullying

Jan 14: WA Guaranteed Education Tuition program (GET)

Jan 20: Education Roadshow

Feb 24: Talking to Your Child about Sex

Mar 23: Parenting with Virtues