High School Offers New Parent Resource Center
The Center was organized by IVY Program students in cooperation with the Swampscott PTA and Library.
Photos
This article was submitted by Pat Gorham, director of the IVY Program at Swampscott High.
The Swampscott Institute for Vocational Programming of Young Adults (IVY Program) has set up a new Parent Resource Center in the Swampscott High School Library.
The Center was put together in collaboration with Izzi Abrams of the Swampscott Public Library and Keli Khatib, president of the Swampscott PTA. The Resource Center will supplement the comprehensive Parent Section which is already located in our public library.
IVY students have been working on the project with high school librarian Doris Gallant, high school nurse Marybeth O’Malley, school adjustment counselor Candace Delmaestro and health and wellness teacher Buck Harris.
Books and pamphlets on the following topics are available:
- Nutrition and Physical Activity
- Substance Abuse
- Women’s Health
- Accessing Community Resources
- Parenting and Behavior Modification
- Problem Solving for Teens and Adults
An IVY student, Briana, has been setting up the resource center and IVY alumna, Amanda, will be maintaining the area. Briana and Amanda will be using some of the skills they learned working under the guidance of Izzi Abrams at the public library.
All parents in the district are invited to use the Resource Center Tuesday through Thursday from 8:30 to 10:30 am., once school is back in session after February vacation. Please note that all individuals must sign in and out at the main office for security purposes.
Our goal is to welcome all families into our school district, encourage connections among community members, and offer educational and enrichment materials that are relevant to our community.
We welcome ideas and special requests for materials in the Resource Center. If you have a special request, please email the students in the IVY Program at ivy@swampscott.k12,ma.us or contact Pat Gorham at gorham@swampscott.k12.ma.us
The IVY Program is a comprehensive transition program for young adults age 19-22 that focuses on vocational training, career exploration, critical thinking skills, and independence. In addition to developing their own skills, students in the IVY Program research needs in our community and work to solve the problems. Please contact us if you need assistance on a project.
In This article
-
Swampscott High School
200 Essex St, Swampscott, MA -
Town of Swampscott Public Library
61 Burrill St, Swampscott, MA (Suite A)
Louis Massei
9:26 am on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Vocational training?
Is this for kids who failed at the high school or didn't go to college? If so, why aren't students screened or steered to the vocational schools before they graduate? Like in the 8th grade or 9th? At least that way they get a taste of different professions without spending thousands of dollars after high school. There should be guidance during their school years before graduating; especially now in this economy. College is not for everyone.
Pat Gorham
9:30 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
A broad definition of vocational training is the practical application of skills learned for a specific career - the link between education and the working world. At one time, Swampscott High had two extraordinary vocational programs led by Dave LeGere and Paula Athanas which focused on in-depth, comprehensive vocational skills in the areas of automotive technology and woodworking, among other things. These courses attracted some of our top academic students who went on to many varied professions ranging from electricians to engineers.
The IVY Program is a different type of vocational program which is geared toward young adults who have diverse learning styles and who may not excel at academics, therefore, the mission of the IVY Program is to help each student discover and develop his or her unique strengths. It is about helping each student find their passion, learn practical skills, and put them to good use. Above all, it is about helping each individual become a productive member of society, regardless of whether they attend college.
The guidance department and teachers at the middle school and the high school work together with students to determine which path is best. Additionally, the middle school holds many activities such as Career Day to try to expose students to a variety of fields since we realize college is not the best path for all.