Santa Rosa High School's "School-To-Work" Program, coordinated by Ron Reichmuth, was honored with the 21st Annual Jack London Award for Educational Innovation at a ceremony recently. The Sonoma State University School of Education presents this award to an outstanding K-12 school program that involves students, teachers and the community.
The School-To Work program encompasses four highly successful businesses run by Special Education students at Santa Rosa High School. The program enables student to move through their Career Awareness and Personal Management programs in pursuit of their high school completion certificates.
The programs assist the students in preparing for future employment opportunities. One judge commented, "There was a palpable feeling of energy and teamwork in the air. The varied business ideas/programs give each student an option to work and earn in an area of their own interest. They learn to succeed doing something they enjoy."
This year's other finalists were the "Pyramid of Support" project at Cloverdale High School coordinated by Theresa Burke, and the "Native Plant Nursery & Habitat Restoration" project at Casa Grande High School in Petaluma and coordinated by John Shribbs.
Information about these projects and the Jack London Award Program can be found at the School of Education website, www.sonoma.edu/education/.
