Two years ago, the NFL and United Way teamed up to give middle school students and their schools the tools to cultivate and maintain healthy relationships in a program call Character Playbook.

Crain’s Creek Middle School in Cameron participates in Character Playbook™ and focuses on Positive Character Traits of their students on a daily basis. Falcons are Ready, Respectful and Responsible with regard to academics as well as in all sports they are a part of. Students are given Talons (stamps) for positive behavior, are rewarded through a program called Fabulous Falcons for showing good character, and they are awarded during Monthly celebrations at the school. Led by Mrs. Kimberly Gilbert, students participate in small groups learning positive social skills related to positive characteristic behavior.

Character Playbook™ is a digital learning experience that uses evidence-based strategies to educate students on how to cultivate and maintain healthy relationships during their critical middle school years. The program covers positive character traits and includes sessions on making decisions, resolving conflicts, and understanding and managing emotions. Character Playbook™ is available in participating NFL team and local United Way markets at no cost to schools. Schools who would like to participate in the program can go to characterplaybook.com or contact the United Way of Moore County at 692-2413. Moore County is in the Carolina Panthers NFL team market. We were proud to be represented by Mrs. Gilbert among VIP guests at the 2018 Panthers Fan Fest in early August.