by Kerry Padrick | Jun 26, 2018 | District News
St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) need look no further. District officials found what they were looking for in Project SEARCH – a supportive and collaborative community-based program providing students with disabilities real world work experiences in high-turnover, entry-level positions with an end goal of securing employment after a year-long internship.
SLPS Director of Exceptional Student Education and Student Services Bill Tomlinson explained that his team was overjoyed to learn the Developmental Disabilities Council of Florida accepted SLPS’s application to cover start-up fees and licensing for the Program. “Through an agreement with Martin Medical Center and Tradition Medical Center, our District is replicating the highly successful Project Search model launched at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.”
Tomlinson attributes Lesa Kitzmiller, a program specialist for the District, as the backbone for getting the initiative started. “Project SEARCH is a one-year high school transition program for our students with disabilities who are 18 – 21,” said Kitzmiller. “Interested students submit an application, interview with a panel of representatives from all collaborating agencies (SLPS, Martin Health System, and agencies who support two full-time job coaches for students: employU and Department of Vocational Rehabilitation), and commit to total immersion in the business. Feedback on job performance is on-going from job coaches and a full-time instructor,” she said.
Project Search began almost 20 years ago in Cincinnati and has since grown to international levels. Florida boasts over 20 Project Search units and encourages expansion. Eighty percent of student participants obtain gainful employment after completing the program according to Tomlinson who also stated, “Our goal is to continue to expand the opportunities of students as they reach the ages of 18 to 21. We’ll kick this year off on August 6 at full capacity with 12 students.”
August 7, 2018, is slated for Orientation as well as the dissemination of each students’ official scrubs and name badge. Program participants will begin their day at Keiser University’s Tradition campus in the morning for training, discussion, and direction. Next, students will move to their rotation on site at the hospital. Each student will experience three rotations during the year based upon self-selected interests. The day will wrap up as it started – with a return visit to Keiser University and a debrief of the day to discuss and problem solve.
by Kerry Padrick | Jun 26, 2018 | Press Releases
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL – St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) need look no further. District officials found what they were looking for in Project SEARCH – a supportive and collaborative community-based program providing students with disabilities real world work experiences in high-turnover, entry-level positions with an end goal of securing employment after a year-long internship.
SLPS Director of Exceptional Student Education and Student Services Bill Tomlinson explained that his team was overjoyed to learn the Developmental Disabilities Council of Florida accepted SLPS’s application to cover start-up fees and licensing for the Program. “Through an agreement with Martin Medical Center and Tradition Medical Center, our District is replicating the highly successful Project Search model launched at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.”
Tomlinson attributes Lesa Kitzmiller, a program specialist for the District, as the backbone for getting the initiative started. “Project SEARCH is a one-year high school transition program for our students with disabilities who are 18 – 21,” said Kitzmiller. “Interested students submit an application, interview with a panel of representatives from all collaborating agencies (SLPS, Martin Health System, and agencies who support two full-time job coaches for students: employU and Department of Vocational Rehabilitation), and commit to total immersion in the business. Feedback on job performance is on-going from job coaches and a full-time instructor,” she said.
Project Search began almost 20 years ago in Cincinnati and has since grown to international levels. Florida boasts over 20 Project Search units and encourages expansion. Eighty percent of student participants obtain gainful employment after completing the program according to Tomlinson who also stated, “Our goal is to continue to expand the opportunities of students as they reach the ages of 18 to 21. We’ll kick this year off on August 6 at full capacity with 12 students.”
August 7, 2018, is slated for Orientation as well as the dissemination of each students’ official scrubs and name badge. Program participants will begin their day at Keiser University’s Tradition campus in the morning for training, discussion, and direction. Next, students will move to their rotation on site at the hospital. Each student will experience three rotations during the year based upon self-selected interests. The day will wrap up as it started – with a return visit to Keiser University and a debrief of the day to discuss and problem solve.
About St. Lucie Public Schools
St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) proudly serves students as the highest-ranking District on the Treasure Coast with a graduation rate of 90.1 percent. As a B rated District, there are no failing schools, and SLPS has the distinction of being recognized as one of St. Lucie County’s Best Places to Work. The mission of SLPS is to ensure all students graduate from safe and caring schools equipped with the knowledge, skills and desire to succeed. For more information, visit, http://www.stlucieschools.org.
by Kerry Padrick | Jun 26, 2018 | District News
St. Lucie Public Schools mechanics were among 106 who gathered from 34 of Florida’s school districts to successfully complete an intensive four-day training held in Daytona Beach last week. Training was provided by professional instructors from Cummins, Allison, Stemco, NAPA, Braun, Ricon, and the three major school bus suppliers in Florida. Trainers from IC, Blue Bird and Thomas Built Buses captivated the technicians and afforded them hours of hands on diagnostic and repair training in the latest techniques for maintaining and repairing school buses.
A recent trend in many school districts is the addition of air conditioning on school buses. Trans/Air, RAC and MCC, major air condition manufacturers, all offered classes in these specialized systems.
In addition to attending the class, many technicians remained during after class hours to sit for on-line examinations to be certified as Vehicle Service Technicians or the coveted Master Repair Technician. Twenty-seven technicians are now FAPT Certified Master Repair Technicians and 11 are certified as Vehicle Service Technicians. One additional technician passed the examination to be certified as a Parts Service Technician.
Robert Manspeaker, the Director of Student Transportation Management Services (STMS) with the Florida Department of Education said, “The dedication to students, work ethic and sincere efforts to provide the highest-level safety possible is evident right here in this room with the commitment of you men and women.”
In its 29th year of being offered, this training continues to be the result of many hours of hard work by the Volusia District Transportation team and the Florida Association for Pupil Transportation Committee on Bus Qualifications and Standards. During this four-day workshop, an additional 60 plus technicians from around the state passed their School Bus Safety Inspector hands on test under Mr. Manspeaker and his staff who assisted in the testing. This will help alleviate the severe shortage of qualified bus safety inspectors required to certify every 30 days that the bus meets all safety requirements.
by Kerry Padrick | Jun 26, 2018 | Press Releases
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – St. Lucie Public Schools mechanics were among 106 who gathered from 34 of Florida’s school districts to successfully complete an intensive four-day training held in Daytona Beach last week. Training was provided by professional instructors from Cummins, Allison, Stemco, NAPA, Braun, Ricon, and the three major school bus suppliers in Florida. Trainers from IC, Blue Bird and Thomas Built Buses captivated the technicians and afforded them hours of hands on diagnostic and repair training in the latest techniques for maintaining and repairing school buses.
A recent trend in many school districts is the addition of air conditioning on school buses. Trans/Air, RAC and MCC, major air condition manufacturers, all offered classes in these specialized systems.
In addition to attending the class, many technicians remained during after class hours to sit for on-line examinations to be certified as Vehicle Service Technicians or the coveted Master Repair Technician. Twenty-seven technicians are now FAPT Certified Master Repair Technicians and 11 are certified as Vehicle Service Technicians. One additional technician passed the examination to be certified as a Parts Service Technician.
Robert Manspeaker, the Director of Student Transportation Management Services (STMS) with the Florida Department of Education said, “The dedication to students, work ethic and sincere efforts to provide the highest-level safety possible is evident right here in this room with the commitment of you men and women.”
In its 29th year of being offered, this training continues to be the result of many hours of hard work by the Volusia District Transportation team and the Florida Association for Pupil Transportation Committee on Bus Qualifications and Standards. During this four-day workshop, an additional 60 plus technicians from around the state passed their School Bus Safety Inspector hands on test under Mr. Manspeaker and his staff who assisted in the testing. This will help alleviate the severe shortage of qualified bus safety inspectors required to certify every 30 days that the bus meets all safety requirements.
For additional information, please contact the Florida Association for Pupil Transportation at execdir@faptflorida.org
About St. Lucie Public Schools
St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) proudly serves students as the highest-ranking District on the Treasure Coast with a graduation rate of 90.1 percent. As a B rated District, there are no failing schools, and SLPS has the distinction of being recognized as one of St. Lucie County’s Best Places to Work. The mission of SLPS is to ensure all students graduate from safe and caring schools equipped with the knowledge, skills and desire to succeed. For more information, visit, http://www.stlucieschools.org.
by Kerry Padrick | Jun 26, 2018 | District News
Parent Academy offers FREE workshops for parents on various topics throughout the year. Two workshops coming up are Parenting Wisely and How To Middle School. These valuable workshops are offered in July in August at convenient locations in St. Lucie County.
Don’t miss out! Register today!
