CITIZENSHIP, STUDENT NEEDS, & THE ALISAL DISTRICT'S PLAN

By Gary Karnes

Our District has set in place a Plan to encourage and build appropriate student behaviors while the District meets the needs of the whole child in alliance with parents and other partners.

The Alisal District also has in place after school programs and the FAST tutoring program at each school. The District works in collaboration with dozens of civic and educational groups to meet the needs of our students. The City of Salinas through Partners For Peace shares a vision of a peaceful and caring community. Alisal staff and the Board of Trustees recognize that good physical and mental health are critical to a student's ability to learn and be a role model for other students. The Alisal offers a wide range of enrichment programs as well at each school. We have increased our partnerships with organizations such as the Scouts, YMCA, and the City's Park and Recreation Dept.

Resiliency plans for each student help each child succeed academically and personally inside and outside the classroom.

Alisal Schools continue to be some of the safest in Monterey County, being the safest according to the Grand Jury in 1999. The District has increased its commitment to campus supervisors and parents have raised grant money to establish Parent Patrols at several schools. Staff and parents have successfully lobbied the City for crossing guards at dangerous intersections.

But much more needs to be done to provide the best teaching environment for our children. Our dream of better schools and a better world will not be a dream deferred. I would appreciate your support in this endeavor. I want to continue on the Board to make this dream come true for our students and their families. Thank you so much.

GARY KARNES