ResourcesREBOUND STUDENTS EARN HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS
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NEWS RELEASE # 57
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25, 2010
REBOUND STUDENTS EARN HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS
Sixteen students who had dropped out of high school or were at risk of dropping out are now high school graduates. The students graduated from Rebound Ombudsman, an APS program which partners with the Community College of Aurora, Colorado Youth for a Change and Ombudsman Educational Services. Since Rebound was created in September 2008, 49 students have earned high school diplomas.
Rebound provides personalized instruction in a technology-rich environment, enabling students to follow an individually prescribed academic path designed to meet their specific needs. In addition to academics, the program provides support to students through behavior 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.
Three students, Breawna Davis, Don Birdsong and Alex Evans, spoke at the ceremony held on January 8. Evans said she never expected to graduate from high school, much less address her graduating class.
“I have had many challenging events in my life, and the Ombudsman Rebound program was one of the most positive life-changing experiences,” Evans said. “I want to be able to tell my daughter that no matter the bad situations life throws at you, there’s always something you can do to accomplish your goals, and Ombudsman Rebound made that happen for me.”
Rebound Ombudsman North teacher Jonathan deSoto agreed that the students overcame challenges to graduate. “A lot of our students have faced adversity the likes of which I have never dreamed of,” deSoto said. “They’ve overcome a lot of obstacles and set their sights on a goal that was bigger than them, and they succeeded. And conquering that means they can conquer anything in the end.”
Members of the Rebound Ombudsman graduating class include Erin Belcastro, Donald Birdsong, Breawna Davis, Alex Evans, Taylor Girard, Najee Hoffman, Layton Hovey, Joaquin Mares, Keith McCaston, Guadalupe Medel, Jennifer Miller, Ydali Palma, Francisco Solares, Jesus Suarez, Erick Wells and Jonathon Woods.
APS Superintendent John L. Barry, Colorado Youth for a Change spokeswoman Janiece Mackey, Community College of Aurora President Dr. Linda Bowman, and Rebound Ombudsman Director Melissa Geist also spoke at the graduation.
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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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