High school to launch career center for students

Education, and the ways it is delivered to students, has developed and changed through the years. What was once a “one size fits all” approach is simply no longer adequate to prepare our future generations for the ever-changing world we live in today.    

To that end, Groton Central School District (GCSD), acting on the vision of its superintendent, Margo Martin, began making plans for its STEAM Learning Center (SLC) as far back as 2015. Then, from the capital project that was approved by Groton’s voters in February 2016, to the submission of plans to the New York State Education Department in the summer of 2017, to the fall of 2018, the SLC was finally up and running! 

Today, a little more than four years later, the SLC has proved to be an incredible resource for students, where project-based learning is combined with authentic learning opportunities and the sky is truly the limit for innovation and preparedness for students’ college and/or career-ready future. 

Despite the successes the SLC has already seen, GCSD has recognized the need, and has the desire, to take its Jr./Sr. high-school programming one step further.   

“Although the STEAM program has college and career readiness skill development built into it, students are not getting that experience until they hit their junior year,” Martin said. “We wanted to create a career development program that targeted students at a much younger age and focused on the ‘who they are’ more so than ‘what do you want to be.’” 

After visiting several career centers, primarily at the collegiate level because very few high schools in the region have a well-advertised career center program, a plan to provide a career center for the students at Groton High School (GHS) evolved. 

Earlier this year, Billie Downs, K-12 district administrator, presented a comprehensive overview to the Groton Board of Education that outlined plans for the mission, vision and goals, timelines, 

scheduling nuances, draft scope and sequence, facility planning and career center conversations that were already underway.  

Exposing younger students to the possibilities for their adult lives will now begin in sixth through eighth grade by allowing them to explore who they are – their likes, dislikes, strengths, weaknesses, core beliefs, values and more – through hands-on problem-solving activities and intentional curriculum about SEL within specific classrooms.   

“In addition, we will seek opportunities for career exploration as it naturally ties into a curriculum,” Martin said. “For example, the eighth graders are doing a career exploration research project in English Language Arts this coming spring.” 

At that same level, teachers will begin to help students put together a portfolio that helps them identify who they are as a person so that when they begin looking at careers, they can be more intentional about careers that match their personality, values and strengths.  

Martin further explained that this will “bring a student’s participation and after-school enrichment events under one roof, so that the student can start to make connections between what they are experiencing with those programs and how what they enjoy about them might translate into a career.” 

Another key focus for the new career center will be on the 12th-graders’ final year of school by homing in on soft skills, job shadows, college applications where applicable, internships and connections with area businesses that have identified soft skills needed for employment. These skills include professionalism, teamwork, collaboration, taking direction, socialization, networking, leadership, conflict resolution, listening, negotiation, acceptance and inclusion. Then, through the National Education Foundation, in partnership with SUNY Potsdam, students take courses in those skills, which they can subsequently put on their resumes. 

“We will also partner with Tompkins Cortland Community College for micro credentials as a career option for students who are not sure if a four-year degree is what they are ready to take on,” Martin said. “We will also bring guest speakers from area businesses in to meet with students and discuss possible careers in their places of employment.”   

Regarding the ninth through 11th grades, Martin said the program is “still under development, but we will provide a path to get students to the point that by 12th grade they have a solid understanding of who they are, not necessarily what they want to be – after all, do any of us ever really know what we want to be when we grow up? We do, however, have a sense of what we like and dislike, as well as what we value and the type of work we enjoy.” 

So, what’s next? Renovations, curriculum development, theme development, securing resources, making a communications plan and professional development and training for teachers over the summer, with a grand opening in the fall. Stay tuned!  

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at (607) 227-4922.  

In brief: 

Spaghetti and meatballs for a cause 

The Groton Jr./Sr. High School After-Prom Committee is hosting an all-you-can-eat spaghetti and meatballs dinner fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 23 at Casper’s Kitchen, 118 Main St. Cost is $10 per person. A limited quantity of fresh Krispy Kreme donuts will also be available for sale. All proceeds help to provide our high school juniors and seniors with a fun and safe after-prom party this spring.  

New name – still providing free food 

The results are in. Groton Food Providers has officially changed its name to Groton Community Cupboard (GCC). Coordinator Jessamine Stone and her staff of volunteers say, “Thank you to all who took part in suggesting and voting!”  

For those who would like to utilize GCC as a customer, the hours are 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. every Monday, or by appointment via (607) 427-4273. GCC is open to anyone in Groton or the surrounding areas who needs food. These methods of communication with GCC may be used for any questions, although email is highly preferred. The organization also has a Facebook page: Groton Community Cupboard-Groton, NY. 

Another Zumba option 

In addition to the 6 to 7 p.m. class on Tuesdays, Zumba is now available on Saturdays from 9 to 10 a.m. Both classes are held in the Groton Elementary School cafeteria and are open to all, from eighth grade to adult. There’s no fee and no registration is required. Email recreation@grotonny.org with questions.