Area 30 to host open house and career days

By LAUREN BOUCHER

Staff Writer

The Area 30 Career Center board was updated on a variety of upcoming activities along with new testing assessments during its monthly meeting Tuesday morning.

Executive Director Lora Busch informed the board that Area 30 Career Center will be hosting an open house on Jan. 14 from 4:30-7 p.m.

During the open house parents and students will be able to talk to staff members about Area 30 and the opportunities available.

"This will give them a greater understanding," Busch explained. "We will be able to help them identify a career path based on their interests."

All member school students and their parents are invited to attend. Sophomores will be receiving an invitation in the mail shortly.

Area 30 will soon be hosting a career day. Instructors will be presenting information on programs offered at Area 30 and related careers to high school students in career classes.

"We are also working with the counselors and principals to bring sophomores to the career center for a more in-depth exploration of career and educational opportunities," Busch said. "Transportation and other costs will be covered by the Tech Prep grant."

Beginning in May, there will be new assessments that will be required for certain classes. Tests will be piloted through a pre-test from Jan. 15-Feb. 29.

Classes include Preparing for College and Careers, Nutrition and Wellness, Personal Financial Responsibility, Child Development and Interpersonal Relationship.

"Based on the piloting of these assessments and the associated item analyses, final versions of the course assessments will be developed and administered during May 2013," Busch said. "Karen Heavin, our pathways coordinator, will be contacting school teachers to confirm they have necessary information to participate in the pilot and the final assessment."

Busch was also proud to announce that Area 30 students, staff and community members recently raised $580 for United Way of Putnam County. The national theme of the fundraiser was Lend A Hand.

The board again discussed the issue of the 2013-14 school calendars. As each individual school corporation continues to make its own calendar, it is expected Area 30 will approve its calendar during the January board meeting.

The next board meeting will take place on Jan. 8 at 9 a.m.