opportunities and set students up for post-secondary success. We have partners from local governmental leadership, industry, military, and higher education at the table working together to think about how we expand options and opportunities for students.” More specifically, OptIN’s goals are to: help students develop essential, in-demand skills that are necessary in today’s workforce that are aligned with students’ interests and strengths; increase student engagement in school; give students a clear path for graduation; match EVSC students with high-quality post-secondary options; and educate students and parents on the career options available to them and the skills necessary to be successful in whatever future career EVSC students choose. “The first foray into that venture was with AmeriQual,” says Smith. “They’re known for making ready-to-eat meals. We took students who were the most at-risk to not graduate with a high school diploma.We have them for four hours a day where they can do credit recovery and advancement, and then AmeriQual has them as employees for four hours a day while students earn and learn simultaneously with onthe-job training.” “All of their classes are embedded at AmeriQual onsite with our teaching staff,” says Hillyard. “So, the students still have their core 40 credits needed in Indiana to graduate, but they’re also able to spend a portion of their day at an innovative model, where, oftentimes, they are earning college credit and high school credit, simultaneously, in their area of interest.” MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT The EVSC is also concerned with students’ mental health. It partners with a local social services organization in Evansville called Youth First. “They provide social workers for our schools,” Smith shares. “We have Youth First social workers in 32 of our 40 buildings and we have EVSC social workers in our other buildings. But every building has at least one, highly trained MSW social worker. That has been incredibly beneficial. In the EVSC, we know innovation is crucial for creating dynamic learning environments, equipping students with the essential skills needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving world that sets the stage for future success. Check us out today. EVSCschools.com 458 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 07 BUSINESS VIEW AGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 01
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