WM’s Grand Central Landfill today made a four-year, $80,000 commitment to support Pen Argyl Area High School’s pursuit of a National School of Character designation.
The school was recently named one of 69 State Schools of Character – the only school in Pennsylvania to earn the title in 2022 – by Character.org’s Schools of Character Program.
"In a time when division, hatred, name-calling, and bullying seem to be running rampant, it's important to model more positive traits for our students. We need to show them that they can make a difference and a positive impact and that they can do better. And they have,” said English Teacher and Character Education Leader Krista Campbell. “Our school has a positive, supportive environment and the students show genuine empathy and compassion and concern. I am so incredibly proud of our students, and our faculty who have led them here."
“We’re proud of what the school’s students, faculty and staff have accomplished with their recent state Character.org recognition. We want to help the district build strong citizens and leaders for our future while working toward national recognition,” WM Senior Community Relations Specialist Adrienne Fors said of the company’s decision to support the program.
“The charter education program is meaningful to us at Grand Central because it aligns with WM’s values and commitment to success with integrity in the community,” Ms. Fors said.
Character.org each year certifies schools and districts that demonstrate a dedicated focus on character development which has a positive effect on academic achievement, student behavior, and a school’s environment. The certification is based on a school’s alignment with the organization’s 11 Principles Framework.
The principles include how well a school defines and implements its core values, how well it defines and proactively develops character, creates a caring community and opportunities for moral action, and how meaningful and challenging its curriculum is.
Pen Argyl High School’s teachers and administrators intend to incorporate a global service-learning curriculum as well as other projects that support the community as they work toward national recognition.
Ms. Fors said Grand Central has a long-standing relationship with Pen Argyl High School that precedes the character education program. Each year, Grand Central team members have supported the school’s annual “Stuff the Bus” Thanksgiving food drive through donations and hosting various events to support Families First of Pen Argyl.
Character.org’s Schools of Character Program has positively impacted nearly three million students, staff, parents, and other community members, including in the Pennsbury School District in Bucks County where WM’s Fairless Landfill team has had a successful relationship for 28 years.
“We’re starting to see a pattern,” Ms. Fors said. “The Pennsbury School District was named a National School of Character in 2021.”
Visit character.org for more information.
ABOUT WM
WM, based in Houston, is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America. Through its subsidiaries, the company provides collection, transfer, recycling and resource recovery, and disposal services. It is also a leading developer, operator and owner of landfill gas-to-energy facilities in the United States. The company’s customers include residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers in the U.S. and Canada. To learn more information about WM, visit www.wm.com.