It’s that time of year again.
Once prom passes, the next teen rite of passage is right around the corner: high school graduation.
Cards have started to appear in stores and invitations are arriving in mailboxes. Outfits are being selected for ceremonies and those lucky enough to decorate their caps have made their plans.
In this edition of Valley Parents, we chose to focus on this major milestone and the array of options available to students in their post-grad lives. Correspondent Kelly Burch reports that Upper Valley high schools are expanding partnerships with area employers to prepare students for careers.
“They’re exposed to the ecosystem of a business, all the different aspects,” Joy Gobin, extended learning opportunities coordinator at Lebanon High School, told Burch about Lebanon High School’s extended learning opportunities program.
While most high school graduates will attend college, educators are sure to point out that’s far from the only option.
“Not every kid wants to go to college, but every child should have an opportunity to get direction and choose an option that makes sense for them,” Jim Collins, the principal at Mascoma Valley Regional High School, told Burch.
It’s also not too early for parents to start talking to children about what they want to do. Burch talked to educators to compile a list of suggestions for each age range.
“A lot of it is asking the prodding questions to get kids thinking about their future,” Hayley Emery, head of the Guidance and Counseling Department at Newport Middle High School, told Burch.
Outside of the classroom, parents can also help their children develop soft skills, which as Burch reports, include communication, professionalism and conflict management. No matter what students choose to do after they graduate from high school, soft skills will come in handy.
“Employers tell me that work ethic, time management and conflict management are really important to them,” said Allan Rodgers, dean of academic affairs and strategic planning at Vermont Technical College in Randolph.
Burch also spoke to community leaders about the graduation gifts — and advice — that they found the most meaningful.
“Always do the best you can and do good things,” Tim Cohen, a captain with the Lebanon Police Department, advised.
With all the opportunities available, this crop of Upper Valley graduates is bound to do just that.
Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
