Dr. William Clark

Superintendent’s Corner

October 2007

Every year when I have discussions with local businesses regarding what the district can do for them, the common theme seems to be to get students to work on time, to have students be creative problem solvers, and to have students be able to work with others.  This is a difficult task for the school district to accomplish when we are being held accountable for the Pennsylvania Systems School Assessment Standards as well, and employers want soft skills.

This year the Milton Area School District, in partnership with the Central PA Chamber Business in Education Committee, is implementing a new program called School Counts.  The School Counts program was started at Central Columbia Vo-Tech several years ago and has been advocated by the Pennsylvania Heartland Coalition Superintendents’ Group as an initiative to implement in local school districts this year.The goal of the School Counts program is to get students to sign up, on their own, for potential recognition in several areas at the conclusion of the school year.   In order to receive recognition, students must obtain a C or better in every course, achieve a 95% attendance and punctuality record, complete high school in eight (8) consecutive semesters, and take more than the minimum graduation requirements.  If students attain this, at the conclusion of each year they will receive recognition.  If they are able to attain this all four (4) years of high school, they will receive a gold-seal certificate for their accomplishments.

The idea behind this recognition is to also allow local businesses to support the program, not as a monetary thing but more as a program where they would want to see applicants have this credential when interviewing at their business.  For example, if an employer would see that a student has received a School Counts certificate, they would understand the above listed criteria that have been met by the student.  Knowing that the student has been able to accomplish this fete, they will know and hopefully see that this student would be a worthwhile employee with respect to punctuality and motivation to be a team player.

We are working with the local businesses to provide potential educational discounts to students who would receive these awards.  But, the important recognition would be on employment applications to allow them to be noted as an individual of high regard from the school.

If you are interested in participating in the School Counts program, please visit the Central PA Chamber web site (www.centralpachamber.com) and click on School Counts to see the information that is available there.  Or you can contact the school district.   This year, the program is only being run at the high school, grades 9 through 12.  Other attendance initiatives take place on a yearly basis at the Middle School and Elementary schools to reward students for excellent attendance.