MEXICO – SAD 43 will be one of only five school districts in the state recognized today for creating a work and learning environment in its schools that the Maine Department of Education considers exemplary.

School district officials will accept the recognition, and also $3,000 in award money, from Maine’s first lady Karen Baldacci during a 1 p.m. ceremony in the Hall of Flags at the State House in Augusta.

The recognition comes on the heels of a 2006 award to the district from the state for creating an outstanding physical education system.

Today’s awards are more about the culture of work, learning, safety and comfort the district has been able to create in its four schools, said Kathy Sutton, school health coordinator for SAD 43.

Each of the district’s schools can point to specific achievements and changes made by staff and students that have led to an “Exemplary in School Climate” award.

“People are excited about being here,” Sutton said. “In terms of staff, they are excited to be here, kids are excited to be here, they feel welcomed here, they feel safe here … it has to do with all that emotional-type of environment.”

Some examples of school programs that stood out include efforts by the student-led Civil Rights Team. The students took it upon themselves to improve the culture in the school to be one where respect for individuality and civil rights is the norm, Sutton said.

A group of high school students who self-initiated travel to New Orleans over April break to work with Habitat for Humanity in rebuilding homes for victims of Hurricane Katrina, and the group’s efforts to share that experience with peers and the community upon their return also impressed state officials, Sutton said. The school’s culture fosters the sense that students can do good things for people, and the students have latched on to that, Sutton said.

At the Rumford Elementary School, long-term efforts by staff and the community to turn the school’s rough and tumble image around with effective bullying prevention programs was another reason the district was given the award. Sutton said the school had the reputation of being an “inner-city-type school.”

“School guidance counselor Andrea Bowen along with staff developed a building leadership committee and their motto was, ‘We need to take the school back,'” Sutton said. Since, the school has become a place where respect is a key word, she said.

“Respect for self, respect for staff, respect for the school community,” Sutton said. “It’s a changed school and everybody looks up to Rumford Elementary School.”

At Meroby Elementary School in Mexico, another building leadership committee worked to create “a common language for the children of the school with the basic core values of respect and honesty and do your best,” Sutton said. “It’s a learning environment that is fun and an excellent learning environment of the kids.”

A successful anti-bullying program at Mountain Valley Middle School in Mexico was also a component to the district being recognized, Sutton said. A schoolwide survey helped staff and administrators determine that only a small handful of students were bullying others, Sutton said. The survey lead to a concerted effort to educate students and staff on how to prevent bullying and to stop it when it starts.

“They have decreased discipline problems and there is really a changed atmosphere at the school,” Sutton said.

Another SAD 43 program, the Pennacook Learning Program, that helps students with learning and behavioral difficulties stay in school and eventually be returned to a classroom setting in the district, was also recognized by the state, Sutton said. The program is not only good for students and their families but good for the district since it helps avoid the costly practice of paying tuition for those students to attend special programs outside of the district, Sutton said.

The district will also be recognized with a Meritorious Physical Environment award, which relates to buildings, grounds and school bus conditions. Sutton said this award is a tribute to the district’s building, grounds and transportation staff. “It’s really amazing when you consider our oldest building was built in 1948 and our newest buildings date to the 1960s,” Sutton said.

The physical environment award comes with a $1,000 grant from the state while the exemplary climate award includes a $2,000 grant.

Sutton was uncertain about how the district will use the award money but suggested that at least a portion of the funds would be used on educational materials to continue bullying prevention work, especially on school buses.

SAD 48 in Pittsfield and Newport; SAD 75 in Topsham and the school systems in Kittery and Waterville are also being recognized today, according to a news release issued by Gov. John Baldacci’s office.

Funding for the awards is provided by Hannaford Bros. Co. The award is co-sponsored by the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet and the Governor’s Council on Physical Activity, the release stated.