Expect Excellence:  2011-2012 School Year
"Setting Goals for Success"

Now in its third year, the Christina School District's Expect Excellence Campaign again hopes to send the message that everyone in the community plays a role in student success.  The more than 17,000 students in the Christina School District will be asked to list three goals they have for the year, part of a year-long campaign focusing on academic success.  Teachers, parents, and community members will also be encouraged to support the students' goals, as well as modeling their own commitment to personal achievement.

Last year, 5,500 students completed an Excellence Pledge at the beginning of the school year, and 11 out of 28 schools had a participation rate of 90% or more.  Parents, teachers, administrators, and staff members were also involved in the Excellence Pledge campaign.

This year, students will be asked to complete an Excellence Pledge stating "I pledge to work hard in school throughout the year, and to strive for excellence in academics, citizenship, and behavior every day."  The pledge than provides space to list three goals students set for themselves to achieve in the coming school year.  Teachers will help students with the goal-setting process.  Similar to past years, students will be encouraged to display their pledges in their classroom or school.  Two years ago, Newark High School students completely covered the school's main entrance hall with signed pledges, and other schools have spelled out motivational words in huge letters using the pledges, or have adorned classroom entrances and hallways with them.

"The Expect Excellence concept is simple," said Christina Superintendent Dr. Marcia Lyles.  "For children to succeed, they must believe that adults in their schools and communities have high expectations for them from the very first day they start back to school in the fall.  This year's goal-setting theme helps us focus on supporting students as they achieve the goals they have set for themselves, and we are excited to explore community partnerships to support this effort."

Further information about the 2011-2012 "Expect Excellence" campaign and ways the District will be encouraging community partners, students, parents, and other groups to participate is available by contracting the Public Information Office at 552-2610.