By Evan Cook

evan.cook@jessaminejournal.com

East Jessamine Middle School educators say they are getting students ready for a future of opportunity through Operation Preparation.

Christi Hack, CRA Assistant Principal at Jessamine Career and Technology Center, said this will benefit the students, and that the community can help as well.

“Operation Preparation is a time set aside to focus on the importance of planning for college and/or career through a community-based volunteer advising program for eighth grade students,” Hack said.

Advising sessions will be scheduled during the school day between 8:40 a.m. and 3:40 p.m. Jan. 23 at the school.

Operation Preparation has several goals, Hack said.

First, the plan is to engage parents, students, schools and the community in the transition readiness agenda. Second, students will hear about college and career planning from an unbiased adult. Finally, the program will help keep students on target for college and career readiness.

The community is needed to help reach these goals, Hack said.

“Though this list is not all inclusive, volunteers may be: school or district personnel, School-based Decision Making Council members, college or university employees, local business people, elected officials and government employees, retirees, parents, and community members concerned about Kentucky’s, and our children’s, future,” Hack said.

Volunteers have several simple requirements to complete, Hack said. These include a 30-minute training session, being paired with a student ambassador, meeting with students about their career interests and signing a non-disclosure form in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

The program targets eighth graders.

“It’s a pivotal year,” said Hack, “Students are exposed to career pathways in elementary school, they explore career pathways through our career connections courses and elective courses in middle school, and determine their pathway of focus for high school, knowing that they have enough elective credits in high school to change their mind.”

For more information, contact Hack at the Jessamine Career and Technology Center at 859-881-8324 or christi.hack@jessamine.kychools.us