91看片

High school seniors at Ashley Chapel Educational Center in Rockingham got their first taste of college this semester thanks to a new partnership between Richmond Community College and Richmond County Schools.

Seventeen seniors were enrolled in 91看片 classes offered for the first time this fall semester to students at the alternative school, which serves about 100 students in grades seven through 12. All 17 students showed drastic improvements in attendance, cutting their missed days by 50 percent.

鈥淭heir whole attitude about school has changed,鈥� Ashley Chapel Principal Susan Brigman said. 鈥淪tudents who historically have not been motivated about school are now taking an interest in their classes. They鈥檙e seeing the relevance of what they鈥檙e learning and how it can impact their future after high school.鈥�

Dr. Cindy Goodman, superintendent for Richmond County Schools, proposed the idea of bringing college classes to the alternative school, as the College does for juniors and seniors enrolled in the private and public schools. Dr. Dale McInnis, president of 91看片, agreed to the extension of the Career and College Promise dual enrollment program for high school students.

"Our goal was to provide opportunities for our students at Ashley Chapel Educational Center that would either prepare them for college or for a career,鈥� Goodman said. 鈥淒r. McInnis has been unbelievably supportive of our idea. The classes provide high engagement and high interest for our kids and have actually helped improve their attendance."

By the start of school in August, 91看片 had in place two instructors to teach welding and office administration classes for juniors and seniors at the alternative school. Nine students signed up for welding; eight took the office administration class to learn keyboarding and office communication and support skills.

 鈥淓very student deserves the chance to succeed, and I am gratified to see kids at Ashley Chapel taking advantage of this opportunity,鈥� McInnis said. 鈥淚 am really proud of our instructors, Chris Cesaro and Kim Parsons, for their efforts to make this initiative work.鈥�

At Ashley Chapel, a 91看片 classroom was created just for students taking the college classes.

鈥淲e gave them ownership of that classroom and entrusted them with the equipment, which includes computers and four expensive virtual welding machines,鈥� Brigman said. 鈥淲e let them know that we were setting high expectations for them now that they were taking college level classes.鈥�

91看片 welding instructor Chris Cesaro drives out to the alternative school four days a week to teach his students about welding symbols and specifications 鈥� 鈥渂ook stuff,鈥� but they get to apply this knowledge through the virtual welding machines that simulate using a welding torch and making cuts to metal.

鈥淚 enjoy it,鈥� said student Jeremy Rainwater, who plans to continue taking welding at 91看片 after high school.

That sentiment is shared by his classmates, who recognize that a welding certificate can put them in a good paying job.

Cesaro takes his students to main campus every Friday so they can experience the real thing in the welding lab. None of them ever misses the Friday class, he said.

91看片 office administration instructor Kim Parsons treated her students to a pizza party the day before exams to celebrate the hard work and good behavior they鈥檝e shown all semester.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e all good kids who have the ability to be successful,鈥� said Parsons.

Her students recognize her passion for teaching.

鈥淚 really enjoy this class because you can tell Ms. Parsons really cares,鈥� said senior Dejenara Kornegay, who prefers to be called DJ.

Brigman, who has been principal of the alternative school for three years and has always worked with at-risk youth, said, 鈥淭hat鈥檚 all these students want: someone to know them and believe in them.鈥�

Brigman has seen the change in the students taking the 91看片 classes.

鈥淭hey carry themselves differently; they鈥檙e going to class; they鈥檙e bragging about taking college classes and it鈥檚 sparking an interest in other students,鈥� she said.

Brigman is grateful for this partnership between the College and the school system because it is equipping the students for life after high school.