[Source: BuffaloSchool.org]
Buffalo, NY (May 18th, 2018) – Today, the Buffalo Bills, United Way of Buffalo and Erie County along with Bills Linebacker Lorenzo Alexander and educators from Harvey Austin School recognized Character PlaybookTM students and their work within the program. Character PlaybookTM is a digital character education program powered by digital learning innovator EVERFI Inc. and presented by the NFL and United Way. The Buffalo Bills and United Way of Buffalo and Erie County bring this web-based program to schools throughout the Buffalo and Erie County area, reaching over 3,000 students since the program’s inception.
Students at Harvey Austin received certificates for their outstanding work within the program. The event featured remarks from students, administration and UWBEC REP. NAME of United Way of Buffalo and Erie County. Students also enjoyed a student Q&A session featuring Bills Linebacker Lorenzo Alexander aimed at discussing character development, decision-making and ways to build and maintain healthy relation ships.
Data compiled by EVERFI during the program’s first year indicates that Buffalo and Erie County teachers helped students complete over 3,500 hours of learning, which led to increased understanding of key social-emotional topics.
By the end of the program’s first year:
87 percent of students were more likely to believe they deserve to be treated with respect
83 percent raised their expectations about how to treat others
82 percent said the program helped them identify actions they can take to treat people with respect
83 percent better defined the role they can play in resolving conflict
“I really enjoy the partnership we have established with The Character Playbook initiative,” Bills Linebacker Lorenzo Alexander said. “To have the opportunity to encourage young people to be respectful, honest and engaging by sharing my story and what I’ve learned is a blessing.”
“We are proud to bring this education into classrooms across Buffalo and Erie County," said Melodie Baker, Director of Education at United Way of Buffalo & Erie County. “We know the children in our community are the future and are committed to providing them with the tools needed to confidently navigate the increasingly complex world we live in.”
“As educators, our goal is to prepare our students for successful futures” said Jean Marie Dickey, Harvey Austin School teacher. “The Character PlaybookTM program educates students on how to cultivate and maintain healthy relationships during their critical middle school years, and we are thankful to the Buffalo Bills and United Way of Buffalo and Erie County for making that possible.”
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About the Buffalo Bills:
Founded in 1959, the Buffalo Bills are one of the most storied franchises in the National Football League (NFL). The Bills have won two American Football League (AFL) Championships (1964 - 1965) and won an NFL record four straight AFC Championships (1990 - 1993) that included four trips to the Super Bowl. Owned by Terry and Kim Pegula, the Bills are proud to be a member of the Western New York community for more than 55 years. For more information regarding the Bills visit buffalobills.com, call (716) 648-1800, become a fan on Facebook at facebook.com/buffalobills,or follow the Bills on Twitter at twitter.com/buffalobills.
About United Way of Buffalo and Erie County:
For 100 years, the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County works to unite the whole community to improve the health, education & financial stability of every person in Erie County. United Way of Buffalo & Erie County mobilizes thousands of people every year to give, advocate and volunteer to help children reach their full potential, families achieve financial stability and create a healthier community. For more information, visit www.uwbec.org.
About EVERFI, Inc.:
EVERFI, Inc. is the leading education technology company that provides learners of all ages education for the real world, through innovative and scalable digital learning. Founded in 2008, EVERFI is fueled by its Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) subscription model and has certified over 16 million learners in critical skill areas. Some of America’s leading CEOs and venture capital firms are EVERFI investors including Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, Google Chairman Eric Schmidt, Twitter founder Evan Williams, TPG Growth, The Rise Fund, Advance Publications, and Rethink Education, and Rethink Impact. The EVERFI Education Network powers more than 4,200 partners in their education initiatives across all 50 states and Canada. Learn more at EVERFI.com.
Media Contacts:
Jade Parker-Warner, EVERFI – Jparker-warner@everfi.com
Nicole Chrzanowski, Buffalo Bills – Nicole.chrzanowski@bills.nfl.net
Katie Buseck, United Way of Buffalo and Erie County – Katie.Buseck@uwbec.org
