Role models who give us Reasons to Believe in the power of education

Reasons to Believe Alumni Recognition Fact Sheet

What is the Reasons to Believe Program?

The Reasons to Believe program was established in 2002 by the KCK Public Schools to generate pride and celebrate the progress being made throughout the district. There are many Reasons to Believe in the KCK Public Schools.

• Students have Reasons to Believe by envisioning what their lives could become.
• Parents have Reasons to Believe in the future and potential of their children.
• Teachers have Reasons to Believe they are making a difference in the lives of students and families.
• Community and business leaders have Reasons to Believe in a school district that is grooming the next generation of productive citizens.

How does the Reasons to Believe program work?

There are several components of the program. They include:

The Alumni Honor Roll

As part of the program, nominations are sought for the Reasons to Believe Alumni Honor Roll which spotlights successful alumni to encourage and inspire today's students.

• Each year, 12 alumni are selected for inclusion in the Alumni Honor Roll and profiled as Reasons to Believe in the value of education and in the school district.
• These alumni will serve as role models whose deeds, words, and images will be shared throughout the year to encourage students, educators, parents, community leaders, and business leaders.
• The alumni will be featured in the annual Reasons to Believe school calendar, which is distributed to all families in the district each fall.

Reasons to Believe Celebration

Held each spring, this special celebration brings together students, teachers, administrators, community and business leaders, lawmakers and alumni to celebrate the accomplishments of the school district.

The celebration is a dinner gala and a fund raiser for the KCK School Foundation for Excellence. It features recognition of student and district achievements, and induction of the newest members of the Alumni Honor Roll.

Award-Winning Reasons to Believe School Calendar

This 12-month school calendar is distributed to all KCK Public School students and their families in the fall. An Alumni Honor Roll member is featured on each month, with a photograph and inspirational biography. It also includes key dates for the school year. Overall, it provides a year-long tool to remind families that there are many Reasons to Believe in a KCKPS education.

The 2007-2008 calendar received an Award of Excellence from the Kansas Association of School Boards and the Kansas School Public Relations Association.

Reasons to Believe Community Supporters

Community organizations and businesses form a solid base for supporting the Reasons to Believe program. Supporters are recognized in a variety of ways depending on their sponsorship level.

Who are some of the past Reasons to Believe Alumni Honor Roll recipients?

Past Reasons to Believe Alumni Honor Roll recipients have included local, national and international leaders. The list has run the gamut with military leaders, attorneys, school administrators, doctors, authors and musicians. Some of the more well-known have been:

• Delano Lewis, former U.S. Ambassador to South Africa
• Gary Cowger, president of General Motors North America
• Dr. Kenneth Salyer, founding chairman and director of the International Craniofacial Institute and Cleft Lip Palate Treatment Center, Medical City Dallas Hospital
• Janet Murguia, president and CEO of the National Council of La Raza
• Earl Watson, NBA player with the Seattle Supersonics

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