I couldn’t help but notice this past week how many of us are sniffling, sneezing, and coughing. The news media has even talked about how many people are sick with sinus infections and upper respiratory problems in our region. I’m not sure what it is about this year that is making us all more susceptible! (Amy McCarthy tells me we all just need to keep our hands away from our faces!) I appreciate all your hard work in spite of not feeling so well.
As we came back from Thanksgiving weekend, I couldn’t quite get used to the idea that it’s December already—it kind of snuck up on me. And the winter activities are picking up. Tuesday I attended the Satellite Holiday Luncheon and had a rare opportunity to talk with all our satellite teachers in one place at one time! It did make me stop to think how those programs have grown so much over a relatively short time and what a great team of teachers we’ve assembled to deliver these programs in our partner school districts and communities. I appreciated the invitation!
Tuesday evening I attended an alumni meeting for Union County Leadership Institute. It was good to re-connect with my class and other classes that have gone through the program. All of the four county leadership programs I’ve completed have proven to be a great network of people to help me make connections for business/industry input, field trips and experiences for our students, and support for Ohio Hi-Point in general. We’re fortunate to work in a region that has these programs available. Two different people at the meeting made a point to speak to me and commend Ohio Hi-Point for our work in Union County (specifically our acquisition of the Union County ABLE program). It was nice to have this recognition from leaders in the community!
At the Logan County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday, Natalie Comer, Economic Development Coordinator, gave an overview of the report the County received from a consultant group who had reviewed our “readiness” for attracting new businesses. She said one of the factors they look at is “workforce readiness,” and I asked her how they determine that. She said they take into account the educational levels of current workers and potential displaced workers from other businesses that have or plan to close. While Logan County struggles in this area, she said it is certainly a “plus” when we can demonstrate rapid-response training programs such as we have at Ohio Hi-Point in our Adult Education Department, as well as the future well-educated workforce we are developing by sending so many of our high-school students on to higher education. Just another example of the value we add to our community!
Thursday morning started off with my three hours of required annual public records training through the State Attorney General’s Office (Yawn! Thanks to Lisa McCullough for sitting through that with me!) But the day finished with what had to be the highlight of the week—our “Taste of the Future” Career Preview/Open House! The committee tried a lot of new things this year, including culinary delights from local restaurants and our own Culinary Arts Program. I finally had to make myself leave the cafeteria area after a walking taco, pizza, and four desserts! But the event really lived up to its name—we had a “taste” of something for everyone, and the community came out take advantage of it! Those that attended really seemed to be there with a purpose—whether to learn about adult education job training programs, get information about local colleges, visit our high-school program labs, or even get a flu shot! It was just great (as always) to visit the various areas and hear our staff and students sharing enthusiastically about what we offer. Shane Haggerty was taking lots of photos, so I know he’ll post those for you to view soon. Many, many thanks to Shane and his committee who worked so hard to put this wonderful event together, to JoEtta Spain and our Student Ambassadors for taking such good care of our visitors, and to all our staff members who gave up their evenings to be here. It will pay big dividends, no doubt!
The Christmas cards are starting to come in from our colleagues at other schools, agencies, and businesses. We received one from Miami Valley Career Technology Center that had a really neat quote on it that I wanted to share:
As we came back from Thanksgiving weekend, I couldn’t quite get used to the idea that it’s December already—it kind of snuck up on me. And the winter activities are picking up. Tuesday I attended the Satellite Holiday Luncheon and had a rare opportunity to talk with all our satellite teachers in one place at one time! It did make me stop to think how those programs have grown so much over a relatively short time and what a great team of teachers we’ve assembled to deliver these programs in our partner school districts and communities. I appreciated the invitation!
Tuesday evening I attended an alumni meeting for Union County Leadership Institute. It was good to re-connect with my class and other classes that have gone through the program. All of the four county leadership programs I’ve completed have proven to be a great network of people to help me make connections for business/industry input, field trips and experiences for our students, and support for Ohio Hi-Point in general. We’re fortunate to work in a region that has these programs available. Two different people at the meeting made a point to speak to me and commend Ohio Hi-Point for our work in Union County (specifically our acquisition of the Union County ABLE program). It was nice to have this recognition from leaders in the community!
At the Logan County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday, Natalie Comer, Economic Development Coordinator, gave an overview of the report the County received from a consultant group who had reviewed our “readiness” for attracting new businesses. She said one of the factors they look at is “workforce readiness,” and I asked her how they determine that. She said they take into account the educational levels of current workers and potential displaced workers from other businesses that have or plan to close. While Logan County struggles in this area, she said it is certainly a “plus” when we can demonstrate rapid-response training programs such as we have at Ohio Hi-Point in our Adult Education Department, as well as the future well-educated workforce we are developing by sending so many of our high-school students on to higher education. Just another example of the value we add to our community!
Thursday morning started off with my three hours of required annual public records training through the State Attorney General’s Office (Yawn! Thanks to Lisa McCullough for sitting through that with me!) But the day finished with what had to be the highlight of the week—our “Taste of the Future” Career Preview/Open House! The committee tried a lot of new things this year, including culinary delights from local restaurants and our own Culinary Arts Program. I finally had to make myself leave the cafeteria area after a walking taco, pizza, and four desserts! But the event really lived up to its name—we had a “taste” of something for everyone, and the community came out take advantage of it! Those that attended really seemed to be there with a purpose—whether to learn about adult education job training programs, get information about local colleges, visit our high-school program labs, or even get a flu shot! It was just great (as always) to visit the various areas and hear our staff and students sharing enthusiastically about what we offer. Shane Haggerty was taking lots of photos, so I know he’ll post those for you to view soon. Many, many thanks to Shane and his committee who worked so hard to put this wonderful event together, to JoEtta Spain and our Student Ambassadors for taking such good care of our visitors, and to all our staff members who gave up their evenings to be here. It will pay big dividends, no doubt!
The Christmas cards are starting to come in from our colleagues at other schools, agencies, and businesses. We received one from Miami Valley Career Technology Center that had a really neat quote on it that I wanted to share:
“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”
I love that!
Finally,
· Have a great weekend,
· Stay warm,
· If you’re healthy, stay healthy,
· If you’re not, get well soon!
