Dougherty School Briefs – March 19, 2014

Dougherty County students see a glimpse of their future

Choosing a career path is an important decision for high school students on their way to the “real world.” Sometimes the way a job appears from the outside is quite different from the actual work. As part of the youth apprenticeship program aimed at preparing students for the workplace, Dougherty County School System students were spread throughout the county recently to experience a bit of the reality of their career choices.

Through the cooperative efforts of civic, business, government, and healthcare groups, employers allowed students inside their workplaces to observe and learn. At the same time, host organizations had an opportunity to observe the upcoming talent that will make up the future work force.

Job shadowing provides first-hand experience in students’ chosen careers along with learning appropriate behavior and skills needed in the workplace. The students who participated in job shadowing were Key’Asia Walker, Charnique Garrett, Rokira Lewis, Arthur Fuller, Kewana Jackson, Tasia Garrett, Breelin Breedlove, Keaundria Crutchfield, Uniqua Miller, Zachery Hefton, Jasmine Ellis, Znastasha Green, and Cynthanntia Henderson who attend Albany Early College, Albany High School and Monroe Comprehensive High School.

Job shadow hosts were Holistic Healthcare, Southwest Georgia Project for Community Education, Inc., Albany Marine Corps Logistics Base, Samaritan Clinic, Darton State College, Norman & Norman Realty, and Dougherty County Pre-K. Lovetta Dudley is the youth apprenticeship coordinator.

Southside holds parent communication workshop

Southside Middle School parent facilitator Patricia Maples, along with Southside parents Patsy Williams and Deborah Carnegie, conducted a workshop on February 26 entitled “Communicating with Parents.” The topic of the workshop was the importance of having a good relationship with parents. When parents, teachers, and administrators come together, students tend to perform better in school and continue their education beyond high school. The five keys to communication, styles of communication, and communication barriers were discussed during the workshop.

Sherwood’s REAL Boys REAL Men volunteer at Snickers Marathon

Students in Sherwood Acres Elementary School’s REAL Boys REAL Men mentoring program worked as volunteers at the Snickers Marathon on March 1. The students cheered on the participants and helped clean up the race site. The group of volunteers was chaperoned by Laciana Cato, Bobby Hand, Sr., Justin Milling, and Martez Favis, program founder. One of Sherwood’s faculty members, Dawn Johnson, ran in the marathon.

Dental Center staff visits Alice Coachman Elementary

Steve Ramey, site coordinator for the West Albany Dental and Medical Center on West Oakridge Drive, visited Alice Coachman Elementary School on February 21 with members of the dental staff. They presented information about good dental health habits and demonstrated correct brushing techniques to students in grades K-5.

Parent communication workshop presented at MLK Elementary

Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School held a workshop for teachers on February 13 in support of Parents as Leaders month in Georgia. Parent facilitator Vicki Sproul, Parent Advisory Committee member Veronica Adams-Cooper, and MLK parent Jeronda Gardner presented a “Communicating with Parents” training module sponsored by the Georgia Department of Education. A slideshow provided teachers with vital information on successful communication with parents, why the “right talk” is important, and barriers to effective communication. Handouts entitled “Tips for Conversations with Parents” and “Good Communication vs. Bad Communication” were shared as well. The workshop concluded with a role playing activity acted out by fifth grade teacher Jocylin James and art teacher Greg Barnes.

Radium Middle holds parent workshop on flexible learning

Radium Springs Middle Magnet School of the Arts held its first “Flexible Learning” parent workshop recently. Information regarding extended learning time, response to intervention, the flexible learning program, and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act’s flexibility waiver for focus schools was shared with parents. The importance of reading was also emphasized. Parents visited classrooms and observed students and teachers in action. The flexible learning program meets Monday through Thursday from 3:15 pm to 5:15 pm and designated Saturdays from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Transportation and snacks are provided to students who participate. Winifred Whitlock is the FLP coordinator at Radium Middle.