THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THIS DOCUMENT: As a part of its School Improvement Program, James Monroe Junior High School planned to improve its school climate. Since the physical school environment was devoid of landscaping and did not provide places for student socialization, all interested groups (PTSA, student council, students, staff, and faculty) agreed that the improvement of the buildings and grounds would improve student morale and inspire student caring about the school environment. Money was allocated from several sources to purchase shrubs, trees, and plants which would change the desert-like appearance of the campus. Wood and pipe were purchased to make benches to be placed around the trees. Students then began building the benches as a part of a shop class. In order to work on the qualities of responsibility and planning, several students were designated student supervisors and worked with their "crews" in preparing benches and then planting trees and erecting benches around them. In the meantime, the PTSA approved the installation of a watering/sprinkling system so that the summer upkeep of the landscaping would be simple. A weekend work party of faculty and students facilitated the removal and replanting of healthy trees and shrubs donated by our local military facility during the demoliton of an old housing area. During this same weekend, the city and the local electric company donated several truckloads of dirt to level out and build up low-lying areas of the campus. Our final step was the concreting of an area around the trees and benches to create a "quad." Since the work has been completed, the students are using the benches at lunch time for a place to gather and socialize away from the classrooms. The students are obviously proud of their participation in this beautification process. The benches have not been defaced and the trees and shrubs have not been damaged. The students seem truly proud of their accomplishments and take pride in what they have done for themselves and their school. This document was selected by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Task Force on Public Confidence as descriptive of a promising practice or exemplary project worthy of highlighting for the California educational community. (Author)