My Life At Life Skills
By Amy Alpaugh
I was sixteen when I found out I was pregnant with my daughter, Deziray.
I was a freshman at Vermilion High School.
I was told about Life Skills, but never really considered it because it didn’t seem like reality that I was having a baby until she was born.
On Dec. 1, 2004, I started Life Skills. I was kind of scared, and kind of nervous, but I just kept to myself and did my work.
School became more helpful after I got to know my teachers, Mrs. Butcher and Miss Rouse. They are the ones that made this happen. I had found out that I was pregnant with my son, Antonio, in January 2006.
I withdrew myself June 2006 to move to West Virginia with my mom.
Then I came back in July, but had to be on bedrest until I had my son on August 28.
I was supposed to graduate last December.
I came back Dec. 14 and I was a senior, but I didn’t have enough credits to graduate.
I have had my problems in the past, with not being able to come to school because of my kids or other reasons, but they have always understood my situation.
I am 19 with two kids- there is only so much I can do, but whatever it was, school always came first. I am so glad I made my choice of coming here.
If I were in regular school, I don’t think I would be able to make it.
This is the year I am supposed to graduate.
One of my goals was to graduate the year I’m supposed to or before, and I made it.
So for anyone who says they can’t do it, but you can tell them. I did.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
White Hat donates $5,000 to Boys and Girls Clubs of Summit County
Nancy Brennan and John Morris, on behalf of White Hat Management, were formally thanked for the company's noteworthy donation to the Extravaganza 2007 auction for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Summit County.
The center's after-school programs reach over 870 at-risk youth each year with critical programs that stress leadership development, technology, the arts and education. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Summit County thanks everyone at White Hat Management for their support!
The center's after-school programs reach over 870 at-risk youth each year with critical programs that stress leadership development, technology, the arts and education. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Summit County thanks everyone at White Hat Management for their support!
Parents pleased with school
John and Lilly Cavanaugh of Columbus recently sent a letter to Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted about their son, Wesley, who just graduated from Life Skills Center of Columbus North.
Last year, he attended Life Skills Center of Dayton before his parents moved to Columbus.
"Wes struggles with a serious medical condition which had previously caused him to drop out of school," John said in his letter. "With the help of social workers at Kettering Medical Center, we learned about the 'Fast Forward Program' and enrolled him at Life Skills.
"As a result of this individualized attention and caring staff at Life Skills, Wesley passed his Ohio Graduation Tests and is on track to graduate this June. This has been a life-changing experience for him and we ask you to ensure that these centers remain open across the state of Ohio."
Last year, he attended Life Skills Center of Dayton before his parents moved to Columbus.
"Wes struggles with a serious medical condition which had previously caused him to drop out of school," John said in his letter. "With the help of social workers at Kettering Medical Center, we learned about the 'Fast Forward Program' and enrolled him at Life Skills.
"As a result of this individualized attention and caring staff at Life Skills, Wesley passed his Ohio Graduation Tests and is on track to graduate this June. This has been a life-changing experience for him and we ask you to ensure that these centers remain open across the state of Ohio."
School holds first Baccalaureate
Life Skills Center of Lee County held its first Baccalaureate for graduating seniors on June 17 at Broadway Community Church.
Six seniors and their families and friends were in attendance and the majority of LSC staff was present as well.
All seniors in attendance received a copy of The Message Bible presented by Pastor Chuck Smith of Broadway Community Church.
His message to the seniors was very encouraging and well received.
Following church services, lunch was provided for seniors, their families, friends and church members.
It was great to see the pride in the eyes of our graduating seniors, friends and family members.
Six seniors and their families and friends were in attendance and the majority of LSC staff was present as well.
All seniors in attendance received a copy of The Message Bible presented by Pastor Chuck Smith of Broadway Community Church.
His message to the seniors was very encouraging and well received.
Following church services, lunch was provided for seniors, their families, friends and church members.
It was great to see the pride in the eyes of our graduating seniors, friends and family members.
Article profiles school
This article ran in the Plantation/Sunrise Forum newspaper on June 20, 2007
By Dave Rossman
Forum Staff Writer
Broward County high school students at risk of dropping out are getting a second chance to earn a high school diploma through the Life Skills Center in Oakland Park.
Life Skills is a charter school funded by the Broward County School Board and caters to students who face special circumstances.
Students have the option of attending morning, afternoon or evening sessions that are designed to accommodate employment and family responsibilities.
Principal Laurel E. Moorehead-Suarez said students come to Life Skills for many reasons.
"We have students who stopped attending classes and have fallen behind, children with attendance issues and teen parents." Moorehead-Suarez said.
She said often when people hear the words "alternative school," they wrongly envision a negative environment.
"Our students realize they have made mistakes, and they come to us dedicated and completely focused." Moorehead-Suarez said.
The curriculum is in full compliance with state standards, but there are additional requirements. Students must maintain employment for 90 days, and Employability Specialist Leutelia Sampson-Whitfield said the center also provides workplace instruction.
"We assist with job placement, but also help students with things like resume writing, cover letters and interview techniques," Sampson-Whitfield said.
Plantation resident Vanessa Lamarche, 16, said she came to Life Skills because she did not like the environment at her previous school.
"I was older than the other students there and really just didn't feel comfortable." Lamarche said.
She said that Life Skills has given her a second chance at a bright future and that she appreciates the individual attention.
"At other schools, you're just one student out of thousands, but here the teachers really spend time with you." Lamarche said.
Robert Albolino, 17, lives in Sunrise and said the school has helped him stay on the right track.
"They stopped me from slipping, helped me get on with my life, and they really treat us right." Albolino said.
Michelle Shew-A-Tjon, 17, of Plantation, came to Life Skills for different reasons.
"I model full time and travel. So, the school's flexibility allows me to stay current with my studies." Shew-A-Tjon said.
Chantae Jackson is the school's family advocate and said her role is vastly different from that of a typical guidance counselor.
"I come from a traditional guidance counselor background dealing with academic matters, but my responsibilities here are more rewarding." Jackson said.
She said she deals with students' personal issues or matters impacting classroom productivity.
"I help the students develop their own problem-solving skills and put them in touch with whatever assistance they may need."
By Dave Rossman
Forum Staff Writer
Broward County high school students at risk of dropping out are getting a second chance to earn a high school diploma through the Life Skills Center in Oakland Park.
Life Skills is a charter school funded by the Broward County School Board and caters to students who face special circumstances.
Students have the option of attending morning, afternoon or evening sessions that are designed to accommodate employment and family responsibilities.
Principal Laurel E. Moorehead-Suarez said students come to Life Skills for many reasons.
"We have students who stopped attending classes and have fallen behind, children with attendance issues and teen parents." Moorehead-Suarez said.
She said often when people hear the words "alternative school," they wrongly envision a negative environment.
"Our students realize they have made mistakes, and they come to us dedicated and completely focused." Moorehead-Suarez said.
The curriculum is in full compliance with state standards, but there are additional requirements. Students must maintain employment for 90 days, and Employability Specialist Leutelia Sampson-Whitfield said the center also provides workplace instruction.
"We assist with job placement, but also help students with things like resume writing, cover letters and interview techniques," Sampson-Whitfield said.
Plantation resident Vanessa Lamarche, 16, said she came to Life Skills because she did not like the environment at her previous school.
"I was older than the other students there and really just didn't feel comfortable." Lamarche said.
She said that Life Skills has given her a second chance at a bright future and that she appreciates the individual attention.
"At other schools, you're just one student out of thousands, but here the teachers really spend time with you." Lamarche said.
Robert Albolino, 17, lives in Sunrise and said the school has helped him stay on the right track.
"They stopped me from slipping, helped me get on with my life, and they really treat us right." Albolino said.
Michelle Shew-A-Tjon, 17, of Plantation, came to Life Skills for different reasons.
"I model full time and travel. So, the school's flexibility allows me to stay current with my studies." Shew-A-Tjon said.
Chantae Jackson is the school's family advocate and said her role is vastly different from that of a typical guidance counselor.
"I come from a traditional guidance counselor background dealing with academic matters, but my responsibilities here are more rewarding." Jackson said.
She said she deals with students' personal issues or matters impacting classroom productivity.
"I help the students develop their own problem-solving skills and put them in touch with whatever assistance they may need."
Monday, July 2, 2007
School collecting plastic bags for American Red Cross
Life Skills Center of Middletown will be collecting plastic bags starting July 9 for the American Red Cross local food pantry.
Administrator Charles Hall said the drive is expected to last a month.
Life Skills Center of Middletown is open 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays.
Call 513-423-1800.
Administrator Charles Hall said the drive is expected to last a month.
Life Skills Center of Middletown is open 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays.
Call 513-423-1800.
Schools take part in college tour
Students from Life Skills Centers of Elyria, Cleveland and Lake Erie took part June 28 on a college tour of Youngstown State University, Kent State University and the University of Akron.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)