First Annual Crash Course Carnival a Success!
Guidance Counselor Sarah Grasso led the charge at Leland & Gray’s first-ever “Crash Course Carnival”. The Carnival is a prelude to Senior Survival, and one part in the L&G and P3 effort to create a more holistic approach to postsecondary planning for all students. It allows students who are just starting high school the chance to explore their interests and connect those interests to classes and other experiences earlier in their high school careers.
The event was designed for incoming freshmen to give an overview of required courses they’ll need to take during their high school career, along with electives and extracurricular activities they can choose from such as Journey Away, Drama Club, Varsity Sports, or LEAF (Leland & Gray Environmental Action Force). Students learn about career pathways offered at the Windham Regional Career Center as well as dual enrollment options.
The event included carnival activities such as a ring toss and a floating duck pull, that made for a fun and interactive day. Principal Dana Acquadro ran a Fortune Teller booth (pictured) that offered words of advice and a Magic 8 Ball to help predict students’ futures. Students had the chance to meet the teachers and staff as well as practice using the dreaded combination locks on their lockers.
L&G and P3 plan to expand the event next year and offer this postsecondary exploration model to other Windham County schools as part of P3’s adaptive Pipelines and Pathways Program of career education across the Windham Region. “In addition to providing programs, and partnering with faculty direction, one of the most important ways that we can support schools in providing more career education to students is to share best practices across different schools among the guidance and career ed professionals scattered across the region,” said Christy Betit, BDCC’s P3 Program Manager since it’s inception over 5 years ago.
About Pipelines & Pathways
BDCC’s Pipelines and Pathways Program (P3) provides career education within the five southeastern Vermont public high schools. P3 helps students develop their personalized learning plans (PLP) through learning experiences to develop knowledge about career opportunities, and achieve their goals after graduation. Students develop soft skills, financial literacy, knowledge about economic sectors and skills in-demand through hands-on activities, work-based learning, and mentorships. Pipelines & Pathways is a BDCC Workforce Center of Excellence program based on SeVEDS strategies to increase the size and quality of the region’s workforce. For more information please visit https://brattleborodevelopment.com/engaging-with-high-school-students/
P3 was launched as a five year pilot, thanks to historic investment from the Vermont Community Foundation and McClure Foundation, the Vermont Training Program, WCEDP Vermont Yankee closure funds, and municipal contributions to SeVEDS. In 2023 P3 reached a major program milestone by commitments from the private sector. M&T Bank, whose support was matched by local employers G.S. Precision and C&S Wholesale Grocers joins funding partners McClure Foundation, the George W. Mergens Foundation, the Windham Regional Career Center and the West River Education District in supporting P3 across southeastern Vermont.
