Adopting a Citizen of Tomorrow Student Recognition Program

Lethbridge School District No. 51 and Holy Spirit Schools
Contact: Margaret Vennard

  1. What problem were you trying to address when you launched this program?
    The intent of the program was to reward citizenship and to encourage positive social skills in the middle/junior high grades and alternate school programs.

  2. Describe the program/project?
    Local business paired with a grade at local school. The school selects a student for monthly recognition based on award criteria (positive attitude, good attendance, acts of citizenship, best effort - most improved). The business partner provides a small prize (approximately $10 value) and recognition certificate for the student. The business partner may be involved in award ceremony if there is one planned. The school and business partner promote winning students in respective publications (announcements, newsletters, etc.) The program in detail:
    1. Criteria
      The intent of the recognition program is to reward citizenship and encourage positive social skills rather than academics. With this in mind, the Lethbridge Business and Education Committee suggested the following baseline criteria:
      1. Positive Attitude
      2. Good Attendance
      3. Acts of Citizenship
      4. Best Effort - Most Improved
      Schools could include additional criteria that fit within the theme identified by the committee. The school determined the process to select deserving students.
    2. Award
      Schools selected a student (based on the criteria) each month in each grade to receive recognition. Students received a certificate from the Chamber and business partner as well as a prize. Prizes were to be valued at approximately $10 and could be in the form of merchandise or gift certificates.
    3. Recognition
      Presentations were made during assemblies or award ceremonies. Business partner representatives were welcome to attend ceremonies and present awards. Schools were to recognize winners and businesses in school publications. Business could also publicize winners in corporate publications.
    4. Partnerships

    School 2003-2004

    Business Partners

    Allan Watson School
    Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

    Runner’s Soul
    Gas King Oil Co.
    Custom Auto Electric & Irrigation Services Ltd.
    1st Choice Savings and Credit Union

    Father Leonard Van Tighem
    Grades 7, 8, 9

    Silver Automotive (Leth) Ltd.
    Andrew Hilton Wine Merchants Ltd.
    RBC Dominion Securities Inc.

    Gilbert Paterson Community School
    Grades 6, 7, 8

    Green Acres Foundation
    TD Waterhouse
    Ellis Autodrome Ltd.

    G.S. Lakie
    Grades 6, 7, 8

    Enercon Water Treatment Ltd.
    Canadian Tire - Centre Village Mall
    Chris Yauck Photography

    Immanuel Christian High School
    Grades 7, 8, 9

    ATB Financial
    Western Trade Winds Ltd.
    University of Lethbridge

    St. Francis Junior High
    Grades 7, 8, 9

    Ramada Hotel & Suites
    Apex Audio Visual Services
    Keith Erdmann Auctions Ltd.

    Trinity Learning Centre
    Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

    Astro Insurance 1000 Inc.
    Integra Air Inc.
    Davis Pontiac Buick GMC Ltd.
    Panago

    Wilson Middle School
    Grades 6, 7, 8

    Travelodge Convention Centre
    Watkinson, Hanhart, Duda, Dorchak LLP
    Ericksen’s Family Restaurant
  3. How did you involve your school council/community in developing this approach?
    1. Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce’s Business and Education Committee consulted school-based personnel regarding their needs and what kind of support would be helpful.
    2. The Chamber’s Business and Education Committee established a subcommittee to oversee the launch of the program. Sub-committee included school trustee representatives from each of the participating school jurisdictions.
    3. Once the Chamber of Commerce determined the overall concept invitations were distributed to all Chamber members asking for business partners/sponsors.
    4. Participation invitations were sent to school principals.

  1. How do you know it is working?
    Sub-committee members have interviewed each of the participating school principals to gather program feedback. Principals have reported that students are excited and proud to receive the recognition. We are just in the process of collecting comments from the business partners as to their perspective on the first year of the program. Initial evaluation has been very positive. To date, each of the business partners that has responded to the evaluation has expressed their intention to extend their sponsorship for another year. Their continued support speaks to the value of the program from the business’s perspective.

  2. What would you do to improve this program?
    Once the last phase of evaluation has been completed we will be exploring the possibility of extending the program to additional grade levels in order to recognize more students.