Superintendent Press Release March 17, 2023
Dear Cedar Bluffs Families,
Cedar Bluffs Career Academy is at it again! This is the second year in a row that we will have multiple seniors hired after graduation by companies they currently are interning for and several of these companies have committed that they will pay 100% of our student’s tuition to obtain a college degree. Several other seniors are doing paid internships now and being offered full time jobs upon completion of high school. Our career academy continues to grow, adding more businesses and more opportunities for our kids.
In the ten years that I have been superintendent at Cedar Bluffs, I have successfully written and secured over $3 million in grants helping support our students, school, and community. One of the latest endeavors is engaging with Banisters Incorporated to help support our students in the afterschool program. The Banisters Leadership Academy (BLA) strives to foster and develop leadership, life, and social skills within the students participating in the Banisters programs. BLA aims to create future leaders in our community by empowering often forgotten youth.
BLA engages marginalized youth in programming that promotes leadership, fosters personal development, and creates new community leaders. BLA will provide youth leadership programming in our school through the after-school program. The program includes youth leadership capacity building, personal and social skills development, mentoring, intervention/diversion programming, and career-readiness curriculum and activities. Family support programs are also offered to parents and guardians of our students.
Furthermore, their flagship program, Night LIFE, is hosted on weekdays and weeknights and provides a safe space where children can learn and grow during high-risk hours. All children are served a hot meal prepared by local caterers, participate in group discussions about coping mechanisms and values moderated by licensed therapists, and enjoy physical activities centered around team-building and social skills. Our first evening event will be on Wednesday April 5th from 5:30-7:30pm in the school’s cafeteria.
Family engagement and communication are essential to effective out-of-school-time programs. Every week, BLA team members and volunteers call the mentees and their families to discuss their academic, food health, and emotional stability of the mentee. Additionally, BLA covers the cost of individual and family counseling through a Family University program. This holistic view of the student gives them the support they need to grow into the community leaders we need.
The Night LIFE program’s focus on wellness and family will ensure that students who participate are ready to handle the challenges they encounter at home and in school.
Have a great 3-day weekend!
#Wildcat Pride!