BULLDOG PRIDE, CITYWIDE: EXCELLENCE, LEADERSHIP, AND COMMUNITY AT CCSD At the heart of the CCSD are three core values that shape its approach to education: excellence, leadership, and community. Superintendent Jeff Talbert emphasizes that these principles serve as the foundation for everything the district does. “In the Canton City School District, we start everything with our core values,” he says. “All Bulldogs strive for excellence… and we believe that it’s everyone’s responsibility, whether you’re a student, staff member, parent, or community member, to show leadership and to help develop leadership in those we’re working with.” Beyond academics, CCSD is committed to building a strong sense of community. Talbert stresses the importance of connection, stating, “we always say that our top priority is building community, and so everything that we do is aligned to that. All of our behaviors are aligned to that.” By fostering an inclusive environment, the district ensures that students feel supported, engaged, and empowered to pursue their ambitions. CCSD’s mission extends beyond the classroom, preparing students for life beyond high school. By providing a well-rounded education that integrates academics, extracurriculars, and career pathways, the district equips students with the skills and confidence to succeed in any path they choose. With these guiding values, CCSD continues to evolve, ensuring that excellence, leadership, and community remain at the forefront of its initiatives. UNLEASHING POTENTIAL: CLOSING GAPS WITH LITERACY & STEM In the wake of pandemic-related disruptions, CCSD has made closing the learning gap a top priority, with a strong focus on literacy and STEM education. Recognizing the critical role of early literacy, the district took proactive steps long before state mandates required action. “Like a lot of school districts, we’ve been working to implement the science of reading into our curriculum and into our classrooms,” Talbert says. “In the state of Ohio, we’ve been a leader when it comes to the science of literacy… we have been doing it for probably seven 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 03 CANTON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
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