CEDAR FALLS --

Fo

r the second year in a row Malcolm Price Laboratory School has been named one of the top 25 finalists for the 2008 National Schools of Character award by the Character Education Partnership in Washington, D.C.

Every year, CEP names 10 public and private schools as National Schools of Character for displaying comprehensive, exemplary character education programs that demonstrate the CEP's 11 principles of character education. The schools receive a $20,000 award, half of which is used for outreach to other schools and districts. The winners will be announced in spring.

Earlier this year, PLS was named a 2008 State School of Character by the state's Institute for Character Development and Iowa Department of Education.

"Years ago, PLS students, staff and parents established our core values called 'PLS Guidelines for Success: Respect, Learning, Responsibility, Attitude and Integrity,'" said Clare Struck, a counselor and character education program coordinator. "We instill in our students and teachers the importance of being responsible and caring citizens. An example of how we purposely do this is our character education curriculum, 'Be a Buddy: Not a Bully.'"