School of Character
Beginning in the 2019-2020 school year, Dover Middle School embarked on a journey to prioritize Character Education. Working closely with consultants from the New Jersey Affiliate of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (NJASCED), DMS developed a Character Action Plan. Then, the school's leadership team, along with key stakeholders, including school staff, parents, and students—all of whom played a crucial role—collaborated to establish a set of core values that underpin all of our character education initiatives.
In 2020, and in partnership with East Dover Elementary School, the Character Counts program successfully launched. Despite the challenges posed by 15 months of virtual and hybrid learning, this peer mentorship program, in which students in grades 6-8 teach lessons to elementary students about important character traits, has not just survived but thrived. Its success is a testament to the resilience and dedication of our school community. In 2023, Character.org recognized Character Counts as a “Promising Practice,” further validating our efforts.
Over time, Dover Middle School placed more emphasis on social-emotional learning. The staff committed to becoming trauma-informed, leveraging intensive training to implement a three-tiered care system. This system, which focuses on creating safe environments, providing early intervention, and offering intensive support for at-risk students and staff, is a key component of our SEL initiatives. To support this, the administration and staff of DMS participate in “The Power of Being Seen,” which helps us ensure that each of our students receives the attention and care they deserve. This program has remained a central component of our annual professional development. The following year, it, too, was named a "Promising Practice" by Character.org.
The school’s curricula and programming reflect a commitment to developing students of character. This is highlighted by lesson design incorporating the CASEL competencies, requiring students to exercise judgment and employ higher-level thinking skills. Life skills such as punctuality, collaboration, and accountability are emphasized daily. Discipline involves self-reflection, focusing on core values, while school counselors lead conflict resolution sessions and lessons on becoming upstanders. Tools like the StopIt app and internet security measures like Gaggle and Securly reinforce and help assure a safe environment. Assemblies addressing neurodivergence and responsible decision-making also support our commitment to character.
From the beginning of our journey, a unified vision between the staff and administration, who share leadership and empower staff to design and adapt programs, has led to multiple school-based initiatives. These include service-learning projects such as the Care Closet, Student Ambassadors, Teacher-Student Mentoring, and Helping Hands. Other notable efforts include the creation of the Tigers’ Den Courtyard, revamping seventh-grade orientation, and expanding access to mental health resources, such as therapeutic social workers and mental health clinicians. To further connect both the middle school and the district with the community, the “Getting to Know Dover” program was developed. Twice a year, residents are invited into the school to meet with various community leaders and organizations. We are also proud to support community-focused programs, such as nourish.NJ, the Garden Club, and the Optical Academy, which assist our families in attaining necessities.
DMS’s character focus was further enhanced with the creation of the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) committee and the rollout of PBIS programming in 2024. After gathering essential data from various stakeholders, PBIS introduced the building’s new core values, R.O.A.R. - Resilient, Observant, Accountable, and Responsible. The committee held a pep rally and other student engagement activities to help generate awareness of the new values. The staff recognizes students weekly with R.O.A.R. cards when their actions exhibit one of our core values. Then, a celebration is held for our Students of the Quarter who have demonstrated our core values.
Collaboration and conversation have been essential for the success of our programs. To facilitate this conversation, staff are invited to share feedback regarding the programming, climate, and culture of Dover Middle School. At the end of each school year, a MOLOSA survey is completed, asking the building's faculty and staff to share what they would like to see "More Of, Less Of, and the Same As" for the next school year. Responses are carefully reviewed by the building's leadership team and are used to drive institutional change and improvement. The MOLOSA Survey: Empowering Staff Through Open Feedback earned recognition as a 2025 Promising Practice from Character.org.
As a result of these collaborative school and community-based efforts, in 2024, DMS was honored by Character.org as a State School of Character (see press release here). With an eye toward the future and a goal of continuous growth, Dover Middle School was recently recognized as a 2025 Character.org National School of Character (see press release here).
