Sto-Rox School District families on Wednesday night met with district staff at the Jr./Sr. High School Auditorium for the second in a series of four town halls scheduled for 2023-2024. The subject of the meeting was ‘Pathways to Graduation.’ School Counselor Joe Herzing, K-6 Principal Heather Johnston and Superintendent Megan Van Fossan led the presentation, along with other administrators. You can download the entire presentation here (PDF) and at right.
Pathways Ahead
Herzing outlined the five pathways to graduation mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. As part of the presentation, Herzing broke down the requirements for each pathway, including number three - featuring Parkway West Career and Technology Center. It’s a popular choice among students, especially recently. Enrollment has more than doubled in the last year, with more than 70 Sto-Rox students from grades 9-12 attending classes there. In fact, Parkway West is now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year.
“There’s been a misconception about Parkway,” said Superintendent Van Fossan, dispelling concerns that students have to attend starting in 9th grade.” You can go anytime in most cases.”
RELATED: Sto-Rox/Parkway Students Honored
Herzing’s presentation also included information about excellent programming offered by Sto-Rox, including dual enrollment courses that offer college credit. That’s part of Pathway number four, the alternative assessment route. Pathway number five, the evidence-based route, includes a new elective for the 2023-2024 school year, the IMT Pre-Apprenticeship program.
“It’s one of the best programs we offer here in Sto-Rox,” said Herzing, “because it’s industry-based.”
Staff also took questions about community service requirements for graduation, which equal seven hours per year.
“We have a lot of non-profits working with us,” said Superintendent Van Fossan, allaying concerns about completing those hours. Sto-Rox works with a variety of non-profits who can help students achieve the graduation requirements.
Grades K-6
Principal Heather Johnston said it is critical to help students figure out their careers, even as early as Kindergarten. One of the ways her staff does that is through Junior Achievement Day.
“It’s a whole day where they come, they not only talk about the topic the day but the career path that they have chose and the path they took to get to that career,” said Johnston of the day developed in partnership with Junior Achievement. Speakers have come from companies such as Starbucks, PNC, and Citizens Bank, along with school such as Robert Morris University. Events like these are on top of career readiness reflections and work that is done at every grade level.
Johnston also spoke about Xello, a career readiness software that is used in grades K-6 (and 7-12). Students use this software every year they are at the Primary Center and Upper Elementary. As the focus of the town hall shifted back to the Jr,/Sr. High School, Xello was a common theme.
Herzing speaks into a mic while Johnston and staff look on.
Jr./Sr. High School
“ Our kids they want to help people,” said Herzing. “They want to make people happy.”
Herzing pointed this out during a review of the top five career choices for students in grades 7 and 8. Top choices were Arts-Audio/Video-Technology-Communications (40%), Human Services (20%), and Hospitality (19%). Top individual job choices included Athletic Trainer, Nurse, Veterinarian, and Carpenter.
As students shift to grades 9 and 10, they continue Xello - an online program that parents can also access - and shift form academic and career goal planning to figuring out a career and working on resume and portfolio building. Students throughout the high school can also take part in field trips to different job areas and universities as they figure out the particulars of their next steps.
When students reach grades 11 and 12, they delve into mock interviews and the final required year of Xello in grade 11. In their senior year, Xello is optional - though Herzing pointed out it’s a very useful tool for career development. As students finish high school, the focus is on transition planning, whether it’s into the workforce, higher education, or the military.
Counseling Services
Herzing has spent a lot of time working in the Sto-Rox School District. By his own admission, the last two years have brought many positive changes.
“It used to be me and Mrs. (Stacy) Huber. (School Counselor Grades 7-12) We had Pressley ridge as the only mental health provider. And that was it,” he said. “The new administration, with the support of the school board, has greatly expanded our services. We have Nicole Reed (School Counselor Grades 7-9) and more resources for social-emotional health, and social workers in the buildings.
With that, district staff took more questions and gave answers on issues ranging from parent-teacher relations to communicating updates about school priorities and district events. After more than two hours, representatives from every school building made an effort to engage with families and provide clarity on the pathways to graduation in late in May.
Next Town Hall
The next town hall meeting in this series is set for Wednesday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the Jr./Sr. High School Auditorium. In response to community feedback, a virtual option will be made available for people who cannot make the meeting in-person. The meeting will cover mental health services and after-school programming, with presentations by district staff and partners. The district looks forward to seeing more of our families in attendance as we let you know about all of the resources and opportunities we offer.