New Program Links Work, School

Sat., Jan. 30, 1999

By Marny Lombard marnyl@spokesman.com (509) 927-2166

East Valley School District is opening a new alternative program with an emphasis on learning connected with work experience.

The East Valley Connections School is designed to serve students who are on the brink of dropping out, or who are attending other schools outside the East Valley district, officials said. The East Valley School Board this week approved starting the program.

It will be housed in the district’s former administrative building, just north of Trent Elementary School on North Pines. Staff will include a teacher, a counselor and an administrator. To start, enrollment will be about 10 students.

East Valley already offers two alternative programs, one at the high school and one at East Valley Middle School. So, why another program?

“Because we identified a group of students that are not being covered by our other programs,” said Superintendent Les Portner. “Some of those students are choosing to go to Contract Based School at West Valley. And some are choosing not to go.”

Students will be required to have a job, and the teacher will work with all employers. The school and work connection is what the school’s name refers to.

“One thing we’re hearing is that this connections piece is unique,” Portner said. “There isn’t another one around doing that. It looks like one more way to keep kids connected to school.”

Student interviews will begin next week.

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