Specialized Programs

Adult and Community Education

A full service adult education program is operated by the Western School District at the Woodville Community Center to meet the needs of one hundred forty-two adult learners who enrolled during 2005-2006 to achieve their personal and academic goals.  Western Adult Education was very proud to be able to graduate fifty adults this year.  A wide range of services offered by the community education program involves hundreds of residents in the activities and programs planned for all ages from nursery to senior citizens.

Special Education

A variety of learning options for qualifying students with special education needs are available at all levels throughout the district.  This program provides services for those who are learning disabled, cognitively impaired, physically or otherwise health impaired, or emotionally impaired.  During the 2005-2006 school year, students from the Western School District attended the Torrant Center, the Community Focused Instruction program, and also attended outside the district for a total of approximately thirty students in a specialized school setting.

Options Center

The Options Center classes are designed for out-of-school youth who wish to earn a high school diploma.  These 16-19 year old students may earn full academic credit toward graduation and may participate in classes offered at the Jackson Area Career Center.  Services provided to these one hundred sixty five students include free child care, co-op training in related fields, transportation to and from the high school, and other school district services.  The classes meet at the Woodville Community Center.

Jackson Area Career Center

The Jackson Area Career Center provided vocational classes to over one hundred high school students.  In addition, twenty-nine students from the Options Center attended classes during 2005-2006.

Support staff from the Career Center helped district staff members provide services to complete the Educational Development Plan (EDP) process with eighth graders.  In addition, other Western staff members were active participants on the School-to-Work committee.
 

Career Prep Activities
 

COMMUNITY-AS-SCHOOL (CAS)

Western High School and Western Options Center

Eight students were enrolled in the Community-As-School program.  Eligible juniors and seniors were placed at work sites for a portion of the school day and earned academic credit upon successful completion. 

SIXTH GRADE JOB SHADOWING

Western Middle School

     One hundred sixteen sixth graders job shadowed as part of a Career Exploration Day.  One hundred eighteen sixth graders participated in career presentations offered as an alternative to job shadowing.  These students were given the opportunity to hear presenters in each of the six pathways and were also informed about portfolios and employability skills.  Two Western High School students helped with these presentations.

CAREER FAIR

     All fifth graders from Warner Elementary participated in an all day College/Career Fair organized by and held at Spring Arbor University.

Technology Job Shadowing

Western Middle School

Eighty seven seventh graders participated in a one day technology job shadowing opportunity.  Students were placed with a business that uses physical, biological, or informational forms of technology.   Twelve businesses in the Jackson area shared the most current use of each type of technology and provided as much hands-on experience as possible.

All 225 seventh graders participated in technology career days, featuring guest presenters and videos on the six career pathways.
 

tenth grade job shadowing

Western High School

One hundred twenty eight tenth graders participated in a full day job shadowing experience involving twenty four area businesses.  Students shadowed in areas they identified as their first or second career choice on their Educational Development Plan (EDP).
 

WESTern Panthers Federal Credit Union

Bean, Parma, Warner, WMS and WHS

Approximately one thousand second through twelfth grade students participated in banking activities ranging from establishing savings and checking accounts, using ATM cards, and applying for loans, to being hired as tellers, computer operators, and managers.  Actual credit union accounts were opened by students on a voluntary basis and each Western Panthers Federal Credit Union branch was open for business each week.  A youth coordinator from CP Federal Credit Union supervised all interviewing, hiring, and banking activities at each of the buildings in the district.
 

CAREER FAIR

     One hundred sixty high school juniors participated in a career fair held at JCC in April.  The presentations featured  representatives from each of the six career pathways.  Presenters focused on career opportunities, employability skills, curriculum, and further education.   Colleges were also represented.  Five Options’ Center students attended an employability skills fair held in April.
 

EXCHANGE CITY

     Fifth graders from our three elementary schools participated in Exchange City, a real life experience in running a model city.  Students applied for jobs, studied the skills needed for a career and put their learning to work.  Over two hundred students spent a full work day in Taylor, Michigan, running the city.  Parent volunteers helped in the organization and participated in the day long activities.