Business/Education Partnership of Sangamon County

Horace Mann Donations to Send iPads to 3 More City Schools, The State Journal Register, November 18, 2011

CHEERS to the group of Franklin Middle School students and staffers and members of the MacArthur Boulevard Business Association, The State Journal Register, November 14, 2011

CHEERS to the Physician Pipeline Preparatory Program, The State Journal Register, November 14, 2011

New Class of High-Schoolers Take on Physician Prep Program, The State Journal Register, November 8, 2011

Capital College Preparatory Academy Scholars Receive Two STEM Awards
October 26, 2011

The Springfield School District’s Capital College Preparatory Academy has won the Northern Illinois University’s “Best In Show” STEM Fest (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) statewide video competition. In addition to winning “Best In Show,” the CCPA team won the Middle School category as well.

CLICK HERE to view the press release.

Continuum of Learning Community Roundtable

Tuesday, October 18

5:30-7:30 p.m.

Dove Center, 619 East Mason, Springfield

Please join us at the Continuum of Learning’s Community Roundtable for reports on
local programs that are helping to raise educational attainment in
Sangamon County by working toward one or more of these shared goals:

    To have every child in Sangamon County ready for kindergarten.
    To have every student performing academically at or above grade level.
    To have every student graduate with a plan for his/her future.
    To increase post-secondary educational attainment and have

Sangamon County residents achieve their highest employment potential. CLICK HERE for more information.

We hope to see you there!

Semi-Annual Community Roundtable Provides Insight, Awards Partnerships

The Continuum of Learning (CoL) held its spring community roundtable event on Wednesday, April 13 at the IEA Professional Development Center. The program featured reports from members of the CoL’s Action Teams, offering updates on various education-centered projects and initiatives, including Hugh Drake and Tiffany Simmons, who spoke about the CoL’s Kindergarten Readiness pilot project.

Also included on the agenda were John Stremsterfer, Executive Director of the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, and John Kelker, Executive Director for United Way of Central Illinois, who addressed funding alignment with regard to their respective organizations; Stacy Reed, Continuum of Learning Program Director and Kenley Wade, CoL Action Team Member, who discussed the development of a neighborhood-based model approach for a county-wide system of care; and Harry Berman, Ph.D., Chair of the CoL Steering Committee, who guided community members and guests through the group’s last six months of progress.

CLICK HERE to view photos from the event.

Fellow education group the Business/Education Partnership of Sangamon County (BEP) shared the evening’s festivities, presenting their 2011 “Partners of Excellence” awards to local businesses and K-12 schools maintaining unique and rewarding partnerships. Award recipients are listed below:

Ameren Illinois / Matheny-Withrow Elementary School
Horace Mann Companies / Harvard Park Elementary School &Wanless Elementary School
SIU School of Medicine / Enos Elementary School
St. John’s Hospital–AthletiCare Facility / Sacred Heart-Griffin High School
Lincoln Land Community College / Labor Unions:

Carpenters & Joiners Local 16
International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 916
International Union of Painters Local 90
Iron Workers Local 46
Laborers International Local 477
NECA/IBEW Local 193
Operating Engineers Local 965
Operative Plasterers & Cement Masons Local 18
Plumbers, Steamfitters, & Refrigeration Local 137
Sheet Metal Workers Local 218

Focus on Your Future Scholarship Recipients Named

The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce and the Business/Education Partnership of Sangamon County announced the winners of the Focus on Your Future Scholarships. These three Chamber Awards promote the advancement from education to career.

The Focus on Your Future Scholarships are intended to reward students who have been proactive in preparing themselves for the world of work through after school employment, community service and responsibilities at home.

CLICK HERE to view the press release.

If you have any questions about this scholarship, please contact Lori Saling by phone (217) 525.1173 or via email lsaling@gscc.org.

Please note: The 2012-2013 FOYFS applications will be sent out to area high schools on December 27, 2011. Application deadline will be on January 27, 2012.

Educational Opportunities in Sangamon County Publication

The Educational Opportunities in Sangamon County publication provides summary information about K-12 school systems, institutions, institutions of higher education, and career/vocational centers, both public and private. The intent of this booklet is to provide an overview of educational opportunities in Sangamon County, particularly for those individuals considering relocation to this area.

For more information on this booklet, contact Lori Saling at (217) 525.1173, ext 206 or lsaling@gscc.org.

The Business/Education Partnership of Sangamon County is pleased to introduce a directory of job shadowing and internship programs for students in Sangamon County. Both of these programs offer businesses and organizations an opportunity to work with young people while students gain a better insight into future careers and professions.

Job shadowing and internship programs provide outstanding learning opportunities for students and help keep businesses connected with local schools by developing new partnerships. Through these partnerships, businesses are helping to ensure the development of a well prepared and educated workforce for tomorrowxs jobs. This feat is accomplished by offering real-life work environments and first-hand experiences that help students better understand their selected areas of interests and what it takes to achieve their long-term educational and employment goals.

The process of connecting businesses with students begins with your commitment and your company's listing in a Job Shadowing and Student Internship Directory. This directory will be used by coordinators of work based learning programs to connect interested students with appropriate businesses.

For more information about these programs or if you have specific questions related to the involvement of your business, please contact one of the following individuals:

Maureen Talbert, Superintendent, Pleasant Plains School District
626-1041, ext 404 or mtalbert@ppcusd8.org.

Mary Jo Wood, Director, Regional Office of Career & Technical Education
529-3716 or mjwood@rocte.k12.il.us.