IN McKeesport Winter 2019 | Page 27

McKeesport shares efforts to ensure every student is future ready For years, McKeesport Area School District has partnered with the Consortium for Public Education to expand its resources and supports to ensure that McKeesport students are well prepared for life after high school. One way the school district takes advantage of the Consortium’s programming is by sending a team of teachers, counselors, and administrators to participate in the Future Ready Alliance. The Alliance is designed to bring multiple school districts together to share ideas, collaborate on collective issues, and learn about new requirements or areas of need. As Christy Kuehn, program director at the Consortium, put it, “This is a powerful network and commitment to the work of ensuring all students graduate future ready, whatever path they may take.” This year this district upped their participation by hosting one of the November convenings - a Regional Network Day. Participants from seven school districts across the region were able to choose a tour at either an elementary school, a middle school, or the high school, all to learn about the innovative and expansive work McKeesport has done in the area of future readiness. Marcie Barry, associate principal at McKeesport Area High School said, “It was great to be able to showcase our district and to share what we have to offer with others. The programs that we provide for our students here at McKeesport Area High School give students an opportunity to learn both academic and trades to be prepared for college or career immediately after high school.” Over and over again, participants were thrilled with the opportunity to learn from and see what’s happening at McKeesport. Comments ranged from, “This is so cool;” to “I have hope for what could be for our students now.” It was an exciting day for all of the participants and for McKeesport to share some of what they do best, from coding lessons to virtual simulations, as well as extensive career and technical classes and experiences. There are so many meaningful opportunities put in place to help students think about and prepare for life after high school. Pre-K Counts had a great time celebrating Rudolph’s Birthday! They sang and learned the difference between circles and spheres. Students made noses with red spheres glued to circle buttons! MCKEESPORT AREA ❘ WINTER 2019 25