ResourcesDROPOUTS AND AT-RISK STUDENTS EARN HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS THROUGH REBOUND PROGRAM
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NEWS RELEASE # 51
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 5, 2010
WHAT: APS students graduate from Rebound program
WHEN: January 8, 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: Community College of Aurora, 16000 E. CentreTech Parkway 80011 - Fine Arts Building, Room F100
DROPOUTS AND AT-RISK STUDENTS EARN HIGH SCHOOL
DIPLOMAS THROUGH REBOUND PROGRAM
Fifteen students who had dropped out of school and another who was at risk of dropping out will graduate Friday from the APS Rebound program.
Rebound represents a partnership involving Aurora Public Schools, the Community College of Aurora, Colorado Youth for a Change and a national program called Ombudsman Educational Services. Thirty-three students have already earned accredited APS diplomas since Rebound was created in September 2008.
Among the January graduates are Don Birdsong, who dropped out because of one missing credit.
“I tried to cram the work in on time, but it was too difficult and I decided to drop out instead,” Birdsong said. “After taking some time off, I decided I needed to get my high school diploma to provide options for the future. Now I can focus on working and going to massage therapy school.”
Alex Evans left school when she had a baby. Now she is making plans for her future.
“I love Rebound. I dropped out of school because I had a baby and didn’t have the schedule I needed through regular high school,” Evans said. “At Rebound, the teachers help me one-on-one and I can work at my own pace on the subjects I choose. Thanks to Rebound, I received a scholarship to the Xenon International Academy to study cosmetology.”
Rebound provides personalized instruction in a technology-rich environment, enabling students to follow an individual academic path designed to meet their specific needs. In addition to academics, the program supports students through behavioral intervention, as well as training in life management and social skills. Students also have the opportunity to enroll in the Community College of Aurora to earn college credits while they complete their high school courses.
“We are extremely proud of these students,” said APS Superintendent John L. Barry. “There are many detours in life, but the courage that these students demonstrate when they show up every single day to earn their high school diplomas is evidence of their character, as well as the wonderful options that we have in the City of Aurora. This program allows us to provide an option for our students to come back to school, earn a high school diploma and then be able to go on to bigger and better things like attend college or serve our country,” Barry said.
“We believe in the transformational power of education and we embrace a philosophy that values each student as an individual who can and wants to learn,” said Rebound Director Melissa Geist. “We honor the choice students make to attend class, we help them recognize their ability to learn and we celebrate their successes.”
Graduation will be held Friday, January 8 at 4:30 p.m. at the Community College of Aurora. Birdsong, Evans and two other students will speak at the ceremony.
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Interested media may contact APS News Media Specialist
Paula Hans at 303-326-2755 for more information
APS Communication Department
Georgia Durán, Chief Communication Officer
303-365-7805
FAX: 303-326-1939
e-mail: grduran@aps.k12.co.us
http://www.aps.k12.co.us/communications
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