For Immediate Release:
Date: November 20, 2002
Contact: Jessica Long, PR Representative
Phone: 570-326-0282
Williamsport Area School District Joins
Statewide Outreach Campaign
Focusing on Value and Accomplishments of Public Schools
November 19, 2002 – Williamsport Area School District announced today that it has joined a statewide public outreach campaign, coordinated by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, designed to promote the accomplishments, accountability and value of Pennsylvania's public schools.
Under the theme "Pride and Promise: Public Schools . . . Achieve," our goal is to increase public awareness of the value of public schools throughout the Commonwealth in today's competitive education marketplace.
The campaign will highlight the value, accountability and accomplishments of public schools by focusing on students and graduates, and on the dedicated professional leadership provided by school board directors, administrators, teachers and support staff.
The campaign in the Williamsport Area School District will focus on quality education and highlight student achievement in the district's schools. It will feature current students, prominent graduates, parent-teacher organizations and extensive outreach to business, community and government organizations and leaders.
PSBA Executive Director Thomas J. Gentzel said the outreach campaign "is timely and necessary," adding that "it is imperative in today's educational climate that we point with pride to the achievements of our public schools' students, staff and graduates, and emphasize our ongoing commitment to quality, accountable public education."
"We are in perhaps the most competitive era in the history of public education in Pennsylvania, with alternatives such as charter and cyber schools, home schooling and new initiatives from for-profit providers," added Alex Matthews, PSBA president and Pittsburgh school director. "That's why it's necessary to demonstrate that our public schools continue to provide outstanding value to our community."
The board approved a resolution committing their resolve to "increase public awareness of the value of public schools, instill a sense of pride for all involved in public education, and strengthen the competitive position of public schools in today's marketplace of education alternatives."
Public education is a valuable, effective foundation for both society and the Williamsport community. In support of this principle, Williamsport Area School District Superintendent, Dr. Patricia Lowery stated, “Public schools have long been regarded as the very institutions that create the American public: the collection of individuals who, despite their diverse backgrounds and identities, are united as a nation with a shared commitment to certain democratic ideals. Public schools prepare children for the political, social, and economic roles they will play as adults. When children are not prepared for these roles, society as a whole feels the consequences.”
It is also important for the community to recognize the outstanding effort of students and staff within the Williamsport Area School District. All 4th and 10th grade students in Lycoming County were recently assessed with an internationally benchmarked exam called the Performance Standards Reference Exam. The consortium of schools in Lycoming County outperformed the nation in overall areas of reading, math and writing. In reference to this accomplishment, Dr. Lowery said, “Our school community can be proud of the fact students are receiving the high-quality education they need to be successful in college, on the job and in life.”
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