As a One Acadiana CEO Advisory Council member and Love Our Schools Board Chairman and Co-founder, I support the kids in our community through efforts to help the K-12 educators and the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE). I believe education is more than learning to read and write. Education is also about giving our kids a vision of what they can be and inspiring them to pursue their dreams.
There are recent changes in the Louisiana legislation, regulations, and accountability systems related to K – 12 education. Focus and resources have been shifted to not just the mastery of the basics of reading and writing but also to help our kids develop skills needed for them to be successful in the transition into the workforce and into their positioning as productive and successful members of their community.
Now, the spotlight is on exposing our kids to the career opportunities available to them and preparing them to pursue their dreams. Success is dependent on the soft skills needed to navigate the journey to their future and the technical skills needed for their future jobs. They are also dependent on a streamlined supportive governmental system to make their evolution and their transition as easy as possible. They are dependent on businesses, the business community, and the community in general to help provide a supported, well-designed glide path for all of our kids to define and execute on realizing their dreams.
On March 26th, there is an event called the ConnectEd Summit, presented by One Acadiana, which will focus on expanding internship and apprenticeship opportunities for high school students. In attendance will be K-12 education administrators from the Acadiana region, LA Department of Education (LDOE) personnel, and multiple governmental, not-for-profit, and business community representatives committed to making this program a success.
The futures of our kids, community, and businesses are on the line. Please attend the One Acadiana ConnectEd Summit for your input and participation in this critical initiative.
Thanks,
Kip
One Acadiana ConnectEd Summit
Wednesday, March 26 | 7:30-9:30am
Downtown Convention Center (124 S Buchanan Street, Lafayette, 70501)
bit.ly/ConnectEdSummit