Link Crew Program Receives Promising Practices Award for Character Education

July 20, 2011…Tucson, AZ - The Vail School District in Tucson, Arizona has received a Promising Practices Award from the Character Education Partnership (CEP) in Washington, DC for effectively implementing Link Crew, a freshman transition program that promotes character, reduces bullying and improves attendance and grades.

“As we finish this school year and reflect on the violence that jolted the community of Tucson last January, our district is honored to receive recognition for our efforts to restore a sense of safety and caring in our schools, said Krysta Gypton, who heads the service learning program at the district.

Carolyn Hill co-founder of the Boomerang Project, which also houses WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) the middle school equivalent of Link Crew, explains, “Link Crew is designed to make sure that every student who walks through the doors of our nation’s schools finds a structure that inspires learning and growth.” With more than 20 years experience in education, Hill is confident that students can transform their own schools, adding that, ”Link Crew schools consciously train upper classmen from a variety of backgrounds as mentors for incoming freshman in an effort to make sure that all freshmen are welcome, celebrated and successful.”

And, the results are impressive. Schools using Link Crew across the United States and Canada report immediate improvements: 37% fewer disciplinary referrals and 33% fewer freshman absences, leading to improved academic performance and graduation rates. Gypton nods in agreement adding,  “Link Crew enables our schools to use the most effective character educators available: the students themselves.”

The Promising Practices program at CEP recognizes schools and districts that have developed specific, unique, and effective educational practices that promote character development.

“These practices demonstrate how thoughtful, quality character development strategies can successfully impact academic success, ethical decision-making, and social responsibility,” said Lisa Greeves, Manager of the Promising Practices Program. “We are excited to spread the word about their success.”

Vail District will be among the schools and districts honored at the 18th National Forum on Character Education, Building Ethical Communities, to be held in San Francisco, California, Oct. 19-22.

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