Special day promotes community, education: Vail Unified School District / Arizona.

Vail Pride Day (VDP) was begun as a solution to retaining community and district traditions in an area undergoing rapid change. A sense of local pride had diminished as population growth and a large military presence had resulted in a transient community, where fostering connections is viewed as important to creating a sense of belonging and involvement.

The VDP program aimed at creating that sense resulted in Vail Unified School District being named the Arizona state winner in the 2007 National Civic Star Award program.

Over five years the school district's demographics changed from that of a small, rural area to a large, suburban one. In 2006, the district experienced an 18 percent growth rate, making it one of the fastest growing districts in the West. The VDP effort brought all district schools together, resulted in business and community partnerships and helped establish community leadership. Last year more than 9,000 people, or 23 percent of the population, attended VDP. The event is a celebration of the community and education. It provides a healthy, nurturing educational environment that supports the district's academic and community goals.

VDP started with the formation of a 40-member board comprised equally of school district staff and community members. Each member serves as the co-chair of a committee. The Community Interest Committee provided nonprofit and religious organizations serving the Vail community with space to showcase their services at VDP. The Pima County Sheriff's Auxiliary takes fingerprints, photographs and data entry as part of a child-protection effort. The Special Performances Committee invites businesses offering children's lessons in the arts to provide performances and advertise their classes.

Community members from large corporations such as Raytheon and IBM serve as mentors and judges at competitions, such as Academic Jeopardy, Math Bowl and Science Showcase events. Colossal Cave Mountain Park, a nearby recreation area, sponsors an essay contest. Park personnel judged the more than 2,000 essays students submitted on the uniqueness of the Vail community.

Vail Pride Day showcases student academic achievement in all subjects and rewards students, teachers and volunteers for their successes and achievements at an awards ceremony. Presenters this year included the county school superintendent, the Arizona state senator and the two House members serving the Vail area, Vail's county supervisor, the Tuscon mayor, Ward Four councilwoman and a local television news anchor.

Vail Pride Day is a time where good citizens celebrate the successes of others. Student service projects and organizations, such as Junior Optimists, Boy Scouts, Habitat for Humanity and community food banks, are promoted.

Students showcased 264 winning science projects from site competitions, 2,500 pieces of art and a demonstration of math competency. More than 800 band and choir members performed at the event, and representatives of the local American Legion post conducted a flag ceremony, fostering national pride.

VDP was recognized by the University of Arizona's College of Education as a program that has positively influenced education and student achievement. From 2002 to 2005. tenth-grade scores on Arizona's Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) rose from 63 percent to 85 percent passing on reading, 28 percent to 78 percent on math, and 74 percent to 96 percent on writing. In 2002, only 24 percent of 10th graders passed the required test for graduation on their first attempt. This year 72 percent passed. Every grade level at every district school was above the state average in those three subjects this year. AIMS scores, attendance and dropout rates were all rated as excelling or highly performing.

While VDP cannot be directly credited with fostering these improvements, many school leaders believe the event is having a positive impact on student involvement and academic success.

For more information on Vail Pride Day, contact Superintendent Calvin Baker at [phone] or by e-mail at [e-mail]. His mailing address is Vail Unified School District, P.O. Box 800, Vail, AZ 85641.