FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2005

New programs offer youth a “leg up” on their career path
Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board has received funding from the Ministry of Education for four secondary schools to offer programs supporting student learning to age 18. The funding for these Student Success Focus Programs will enhance program development at Centre Hastings Secondary School, Moira Secondary School, North Hastings High School, and Quinte Secondary School. Programs will prepare students for college or employment in fields where there is local labour market demand.

Students in all four programs will receive industry specific training. The programs are different at each school:

• Students at Centre Hastings will partner with the environmental sector to complete local projects.
• At Moira Secondary School, technology teachers will continue their partnership with Loyalist College staff and community partners to support an educational pathway in high school leading to college technology programs.
• At North Hastings High School, students will work with local companies to learn skills in logging and heavy equipment.
• At Quinte Secondary School, students will build a house through the Construction Technology Program. Teacher, Randy Votary, who has previously led a similar project will create a new on-line instruction component.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students. The school-to-college and school-to-work pathways are important routes for our local students. These programs will give students the experience and the qualifications to give them a ‘leg-up’ on their career path. We hope to receive additional funding from the Ministry next year to develop programs at all of our secondary schools,” remarks Christine Walker Bird, Board Leader for Student Success.

Outcomes of the Student Success Focus Programs
By participating in the new programs, it is anticipated that students will achieve academic and personal success through:

• Increased focus in their career goals
• Increased post-program entry into work or training related to the program focus
• Increased credit accumulation
• Increased graduation rates

The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board has 54 schools serving 18,700 students, employing 1,140 teachers and 770 support staff. The Board covers a wide geographical area of 7,221 square kilometres bordered by Maynooth to the north, Deseronto to the east, Prince Edward County to the south, and Quinte West to the west.

For information, contact:
• Christine Walker Bird, Board Leader for Student Success, (613) 966-1170, or 1 800 267-4350, ext. 2202