As part of its hands-on, career-focused approach, the district built a coffee shop operated by students in the JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) program. “That’s giving those kids the real-life experience of running a small business,” says South Dearborn Business Manager Shawn Spindler.Through a highly active chapter of Future Farmers of America (FFA), students also have opportunities to engage in a variety of agricultural programs, exposing them to a broad range of potential careers in the agriculture industry. STEM, ARTS, AND ATHLETICS At the elementary level, all of South Dearborn’s schools have achieved STEM certification from the Indiana Department of Education. “It involves a lot of partnerships with community businesses, and a lot of trying to get STEM so that it’s not just an isolated thing,” reports Dr. Janet Platt, Director of Curriculum and Instruction.“Our whole approach is to get it into the classrooms daily.” The district initially launched Project Lead the Way for grades K-6 and has since expanded its STEM offerings to include grades K-12, with community partnerships and integration into core subjects. Beyond academics, South Dearborn has built a reputation for excellence in the arts. “Across the district, I would say that that’s probably our flagship here, our art program, our band, and our show choir at the middle school and high school,” boasts Dr. Platt. Dr. Ross continues, “This community loves athletics. There’s a lot of emphasis on sports, and we emphasize excellence on the field and in the classroom. But our show choir and our band, these kids have multiple 7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 05 SOUTH DEARBORN COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
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