Closing chapter for 'Choosing Civility' drive

The Stanislaus County Office of Education's Choose Civility Initiative began in the fall of 2010 with a book — P.M. Forni's "Choosing Civility" — and will wrap up with a book.

The SCOE is sponsoring a poetry, writing and art contest for students, and the winners will become published authors and artists in its "Kids on Civility" book. Winners will be invited to a year-end ceremony where each will receive a copy of the book and be eligible for prizes.

Information about the contests and how to enter can be found on the SCOE's website, www.stancoe.org/civility.

The SCOE launched the campaign with the goal of integrating civility into the culture of the community. To date, more than 250 local business partners and nearly every school district in the county have signed on to support the initiative.

"It's been encouraging to hear the dialogue throughout the county about the importance of civility, and to see and read of the efforts to promote it," said Stanislaus County Superintendent of Schools Tom Changnon. "It's also exciting to see Choose Civility spreading beyond our county. We know of seven other counties that are moving forward to adopt their own initiatives modeled after ours."