Karen LeFever
3620 Franklin St.
Denver, CO 80205
Tel (303) 292-5515
Tel (303) 292-5111

March 20, 2000

Dear Dr. Gaffney,

I am pleased and honored to write a letter of support for the "Character First" program. Our
partnership is significant for several reasons. The well-designed curriculum focusing on
character qualities has created a backdrop for students, teachers and staff to create a safer
school and community environment. Both you and the charter coaches have been
instrumental in assisting us as the Wyatt-Edison Charter School emerges as a new and
powerful school for all children.

The Wyatt-Edison Charter School is a neighborhood charter school located in Northeast
Denver. We have an ethnically and linguistically diverse population of 660 students in grades
kindergarten through seventh. Our mission is to provide a world-class education to all
students. A world-class education ensures that each of our students has a safe environment in
which to learn and excel academically, socially, and emotionally. Thus, the focus on character
hope, respect, responsibility, integrity) provide the central vehicle and point of entry for all
teaching and learning.

The significance of the "Character First" program is best described in a recent situation with
one of our students. "Billy" is afrequent visitor to the principal's office. He lives in a one-
bedroom apartment with his three brothers, mother, and grandmother. Mom is seeking
employment, but is having difficulty as she has a prior felony criminal record, and recently
assaulted a public official. Life at home is difficult for Billy. His acting out behavior is not a
total surprise to anyone who knows his 10-year journey and on-going struggles.

Last week "Billy" was back in my office. As he sat and cooled down, I noticed a change in his
entry--he was not yelling and slamming his fist on the table. As, we spoke, he told me he was
practicing the character qualities of obedience and attentiveness. He went on to say that during
class, he was disobedient to his teacher, and called negative attention to himself. He promised
himself that he would try the opposite when he arrived in my office, and see what the
differences were in how adults responded to him. For any child or adult to make a conscious
choice to respond to a situation with character, is a huge step. For Billy, it was monumental.

The "Character First" program is helping to guide our efforts at the Wyatt-Edison Charter
School. Through our partnership, we are creating consistency and a common language for all
understanding across all historically dividing lines. As we continue to operate, we look
forward to an ongoing partnership.

We are grateful for the opportunity to implement this program at the Wyatt Edison Charter
School. It is without hesitation that i recommend and endorse it to other schools looking to
implement a character-based program.