After our visit to Petersburg High School there were two stops to make before arriving at the Mineral County Technical Center in Keyser, West Virginia. The first was only a few blocks away for a visit to the Southside Depot, home of the Grant County Chamber of Commerce, the Grant County Convention & Visitors Bureau and a store full of West Virginia arts, crafts and specialty foods. An hour’s drive later we arrived at the Flying W Farms for lunch, a fascinating combination of roadside store, deli, beef processing facility and vegetable market. Just about everything there is fresh and grown locally, including the meat.
We spent the next two hours at Mineral County Technical Center, where we toured the facility and heard from faculty and students. This place felt more like a community college than a high school to this writer. There were large well-equipped sections for engineering/technical, health services, forestry/natural resources, business and much more. Consistent with a vocational curricula there were lots of hands-on courses, which range from agricultural mechanics to veterinary science. At the health studies area there was a replica of a hospital nurses stations being constructed. How was it funded? Contributions from the LPN association. There is a relationship between the Center and the association that is mutually beneficial for both. Students study nursing here, then go on to higher study and return to the community as LPN’s. We saw this type of relationship often during our tour, whereby the local industry, whatever it may be, cooperates with the high schools in a variety of ways. Also very active here was a local Future Farmers of America chapter. Several members told us about their growing up on farms and plans to get involved in some form of agriculture science or natural resources management.
Again I was struck with the passion of the instructors and the connection with the community. Also, the emphasis to college and further education was evident. To get a sample of that , click here for the College Resources page of the Center’s Web site.
And now, we’re back on the bus for a three-hour ride to somewhere in Ohio.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Follow me to Appalachia - Dispatch 3 - Petersburg High School
Our first school stop was Petersburg High School (PHS) in Petersburg, WV. After a welcome from Principal Garry Moore, we heard from Lori Nesselrodt, Coordinator, as well as the previous principal and coordinator who were at the school when the project began in the 1998-99 school year. Below are highlights of the comments.
“You take the kids to the chicken plants, and they’ll go to college.”
Every single faculty member bought into the grant and served on a committee. Created a logo for the program.
One slowdown in the project was a change in the leadership at the county education office that was not as supportive as before. Faculty and students would not let the program die. Students in the lower grades had seen what their upperclassmates had done.
Publicity is very important. News should go to the local newspaper.
“When the school bell rings, the future is present in the classrooms of West Virginia,” said Jo Ann Snyder Harman, 1996 West Virginia Teacher of the Year and original grant coordinator.
**********
THE BELOW LISTED PROJECTS WERE FUNDED AT PETERSBURG HIGH BY THE WEST VIRGINIA APPALACHIAN HIGHER EDUCATION (WVACHE) GRANT.
Student Newsletters - distributed to students and local newspaper.
Parent Newsletter - Mailed home to inform parents of meetings, special activities, deadlines, scholarships, etc.
Counselor Resource Books and Postage - one of these books contained sample letters of recommendation for teachers to write for students who needed them to apply for college.
Show Your Colors Day - Participation by entire school staff and local businesses.
ACT/SAT Workshops - Instructors and materials covered by the grant (instead of students having to pay $125 at another place that offered similar workshops) (217 students have gone through the workshops).
College Tours - Tours have been taken to Potomac State College, West Virginia University, Fairmont State University, Allegany College, D&E College, Eastern West Virginia Community & Technical College. PHS provided fuel as its match.
Welcome Back Luncheon - College freshmen return to discuss their college experiences with current seniors, lunch is provided (local restaurant donated pizza).
College Fair - Supplies and snacks funded by WVACHE.
“Waive the Fee” Day - College representatives come on campus and waive the application fee for PHS students.
Placement scheduling on PHS campus - Representatives from certain colleges/technical centers come to PHS to complete placement tests with PHS students (lunch is funded with grant).
SAR Day at Potomac State - Students who are attending Potomac State College of West Virginia University in the fall travel to the campus to complete their registration process. Parents ride the bus with their students. They register for classes, meet with financial aid officers, tour campus, complete housing applications, take photo ID’s, etc. Students leave campus with everything completed. An excellent experience for parents and students. Thirty-six of the 117 seniors at PHS this year (along with their parents) say they are going.
Student Financial Aid Session - Students go through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form with a college financial aid officer. Students are released from internships, etc. to attend.
Parent Financial Aid Session - Provided after school to accommodate parents. Conducted by a college financial aid officer along with high school counselor.
Internship Programs - Funded in several ways by the WVACHE grant. Internship sites must be approved by the school board. Currently, 72 of 117 seniors are interns. The local hospital is a big supporter.
Rising Stars Display - Students post their college acceptance letters.
Booklets for Parents/Students - PHS purchased four different booklets covering applicable topics from Woodburn Press (Ex: “How to Get the Most Out of High School”).
Purchased Calculators - Purchased 75 calculators for use in ACT workshops, testing, etc.
Paid for PSAT - Covered PSAT fees for needy students.
Presenters from Technical Schools - paid for lunch.
Speakers within various major and cluster fields - Examples include West Virginia Troopers Association, pharmacists, MD’s, engineers, teachers, etc.).
**********
Future plans are to continue current programs, a transition program for 8th graders, a Career Crusing program and textbook scholarships.
**********
Lori Nesselrodt, Coordinator, emphasizes to students that they do not just have to go to a four-year college, that technical schools are fine. She also pointed out that it is important for them to include parents on bus trips. Many parents have never been to a college campus. This year there are six parents who enrolled in college.
**********
A “Senior Year Timeline” is furnished at the beginning of the year showing step-by-step activities, meetings and deadlines for preparation for college and the application process.
**********
CLOSING THOUGHTS
The importance of a passionate coordinator and supportive principal shown though loud and clear. Also evident was very strong support from the community for the school. For example, a new landscaped and covered courtyard had just been completed for students to gather in a spot just outside the cafeteria. It was provided by the Parent-Teacher Organization and citizens and businesses from the community.
For what it’s worth I checked some community profile data on Petersburg/Grant County, West Virginia and found the following:
Population in July 2008: 2,774. Population change since 2000: +14.5%
Estimated per capita income in 2007: $23,112
Races in Petersburg: White Non-Hispanic (96.7%), Black (1.6%), Hispanic (0.8%)
Free Lunch Eligibility: 41.1%
“You take the kids to the chicken plants, and they’ll go to college.”
Every single faculty member bought into the grant and served on a committee. Created a logo for the program.
One slowdown in the project was a change in the leadership at the county education office that was not as supportive as before. Faculty and students would not let the program die. Students in the lower grades had seen what their upperclassmates had done.
Publicity is very important. News should go to the local newspaper.
“When the school bell rings, the future is present in the classrooms of West Virginia,” said Jo Ann Snyder Harman, 1996 West Virginia Teacher of the Year and original grant coordinator.
**********
THE BELOW LISTED PROJECTS WERE FUNDED AT PETERSBURG HIGH BY THE WEST VIRGINIA APPALACHIAN HIGHER EDUCATION (WVACHE) GRANT.
Student Newsletters - distributed to students and local newspaper.
Parent Newsletter - Mailed home to inform parents of meetings, special activities, deadlines, scholarships, etc.
Counselor Resource Books and Postage - one of these books contained sample letters of recommendation for teachers to write for students who needed them to apply for college.
Show Your Colors Day - Participation by entire school staff and local businesses.
ACT/SAT Workshops - Instructors and materials covered by the grant (instead of students having to pay $125 at another place that offered similar workshops) (217 students have gone through the workshops).
College Tours - Tours have been taken to Potomac State College, West Virginia University, Fairmont State University, Allegany College, D&E College, Eastern West Virginia Community & Technical College. PHS provided fuel as its match.
Welcome Back Luncheon - College freshmen return to discuss their college experiences with current seniors, lunch is provided (local restaurant donated pizza).
College Fair - Supplies and snacks funded by WVACHE.
“Waive the Fee” Day - College representatives come on campus and waive the application fee for PHS students.
Placement scheduling on PHS campus - Representatives from certain colleges/technical centers come to PHS to complete placement tests with PHS students (lunch is funded with grant).
SAR Day at Potomac State - Students who are attending Potomac State College of West Virginia University in the fall travel to the campus to complete their registration process. Parents ride the bus with their students. They register for classes, meet with financial aid officers, tour campus, complete housing applications, take photo ID’s, etc. Students leave campus with everything completed. An excellent experience for parents and students. Thirty-six of the 117 seniors at PHS this year (along with their parents) say they are going.
Student Financial Aid Session - Students go through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form with a college financial aid officer. Students are released from internships, etc. to attend.
Parent Financial Aid Session - Provided after school to accommodate parents. Conducted by a college financial aid officer along with high school counselor.
Internship Programs - Funded in several ways by the WVACHE grant. Internship sites must be approved by the school board. Currently, 72 of 117 seniors are interns. The local hospital is a big supporter.
Rising Stars Display - Students post their college acceptance letters.
Booklets for Parents/Students - PHS purchased four different booklets covering applicable topics from Woodburn Press (Ex: “How to Get the Most Out of High School”).
Purchased Calculators - Purchased 75 calculators for use in ACT workshops, testing, etc.
Paid for PSAT - Covered PSAT fees for needy students.
Presenters from Technical Schools - paid for lunch.
Speakers within various major and cluster fields - Examples include West Virginia Troopers Association, pharmacists, MD’s, engineers, teachers, etc.).
**********
Future plans are to continue current programs, a transition program for 8th graders, a Career Crusing program and textbook scholarships.
**********
Lori Nesselrodt, Coordinator, emphasizes to students that they do not just have to go to a four-year college, that technical schools are fine. She also pointed out that it is important for them to include parents on bus trips. Many parents have never been to a college campus. This year there are six parents who enrolled in college.
**********
A “Senior Year Timeline” is furnished at the beginning of the year showing step-by-step activities, meetings and deadlines for preparation for college and the application process.
**********
CLOSING THOUGHTS
The importance of a passionate coordinator and supportive principal shown though loud and clear. Also evident was very strong support from the community for the school. For example, a new landscaped and covered courtyard had just been completed for students to gather in a spot just outside the cafeteria. It was provided by the Parent-Teacher Organization and citizens and businesses from the community.
For what it’s worth I checked some community profile data on Petersburg/Grant County, West Virginia and found the following:
Population in July 2008: 2,774. Population change since 2000: +14.5%
Estimated per capita income in 2007: $23,112
Races in Petersburg: White Non-Hispanic (96.7%), Black (1.6%), Hispanic (0.8%)
Free Lunch Eligibility: 41.1%
Finally, I saved the best news for last. The PHS class of 2001 had a college going rate of 35%; the class of 2009 had a college going rate of 64%.
NEXT STOP: Mineral County Vo-Tech Center
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Folow me to Appalachia - Dispatch 2-A
Hello. It is now early Wednesday morning. My blog posting is delayed due to lack of Internet access during the past two days and just long days on the bus. On Monday we started at 6:00 a.m. and did not arrive in our motel in Carollton, Ohio until almost 11:00 p.m. Last night (Tuesday) we checked in for the night about 9:30 p.m. Check back later today (Wednesday) for detailed posts. I can tell you now that this trip was enlightening and very useful to my work on this project. It was inspiring to see what these schools are doing.
Thanks for your patience.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Follow me to Appalachia - Disptach # 2 - Early Monday morning
And so it begins. Yes, it is early on a cool West Virginia morning. And the bus is very nice.
Sarita tells me that our first stop is three hours away.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Follow me to Appalachia - Dispatch # 1 - Sunday evening
The Mississippi group has arrived. There are nine of us from the Magnolia State, and we are a rather diverse group. However, what what have in common is a desire to improve education. I understand that there will be a total of 42 on the bus trip. I took this photo of my fellow Mississippians as we prepared to load the van for our 106 mile trip from the Pittsburgh to Bridgeport, West Virginia. I drove while Angela Suggs, Ohio Appalachian Higher Education Center and ARC Consultant, navigated. After arrival we had dinner at a Bob Evans Restaurant next to our Hampton Inn. During dinner we were informed that the bus will leave promptly at 6:15 a.m. During check-in I heard several requests for 5:00 a.m. wake-up calls. Because Mississippi is on central time, that really means 4:00 a.m. to the body. Our mission tomorrow is to learn something from some West Virginia schools that are having above average success with their college going rates. Here's who we are (not in order):
Valerie Crawford-Chickasaw County (Houlka)
Emily Snellings-Chickasaw County (Houlka)
Robbie Janice Denson-Choctaw County
Charlotte Cornish-Choctaw County
Virginia Freely-Winston County
Judith McLeod-Winston County
Loretta Hulin- Kemper County
Bernard Hulin-Kemper County
Phil Hardwick, Coordinator of Capacity Development, Stennis Institute of Government, MSU (not pictured)
To learn more about this project as it relates to Mississippi go to http://www.sig.msstate.edu/mshei/index.html.
I'll be blogging during the bus trip so check back often. I'll also be tweeting during the day if you want to follow philhardwick on Twitter.com.
Follow me to Appalchia
From Sunday, Novemeber 8, though Wednesday the 11th I'll be in the West Virginia and Ohio area of rural Appalachia. The purpose of my trip is to learn how several high schools in such a region have achieved very high college-going rates. I'll be on a bus tour with others who are part of an Appalachian Regional Commission project to reduce dropouts and increase the percentage of students who go to college. I understand that most of the others are educators. My background is in economic and community development. Click here for my bio. Hopefully, we will learn some things to help us coordinate with several counties in northeast Mississippi to reduce their dropout rates and increase their college-going rates.
I'll be making posts several time a day on this blog, assuming I have Internet access. If you have any questions, or would like to me to comment on a specific issue or subject related to the trip I invite your e-mail to me at phil.hardwick@msstate.edu. For more information about this project check out the project's Web site.
Friday, November 6, 2009
"Thinking" in North Carolina
Today I'm off to the Better South conference at Davidson College in North Carolina.
Special conference to focus on developing Southern agenda
http://www.bettersouth.org/
Special conference to focus on developing Southern agenda
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NOV. 4, 2009 -- More than three dozen thinkers from across the South will gather this weekend for a two-day conference to develop an "Agenda for a Better South" that seeks to inspire Southern leaders to move the region forward. (Read the news release)
"In our increasingly partisan and media-saturated world of small soundbites for big problems, it's often hard for elected and appointed officials, and other leaders to make serious inquiries and give thoughtful consideration to big problems facing the South," said Andy Brack, president of the Center for a Better South. "Instead, they often have to put out the fires of immediate problems rather than finding solutions for decades-old challenges.
"By crafting this new Agenda for a Better South, we will highlight for our leaders that public policy matters … and that they can make significant progress for the future by focusing on the big picture for each state."
http://www.bettersouth.org/
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