LEETONIA, Ohio (WKBN) — About a month ago, Leetonia Exempt Village Schools received approval for a unique 21st Century Learning grant for the district’s Innovative Career Exploration Program, also known as ICE.
The approximately $1 million grant, awarded by the Columbiana County Educational Service Center, will be administered over five years.
“We need to empower our students, get them out into the workforce, learn about careers and think a little bit about their future,” said Ryan O’Donnell, ICE program coordinator.
Approximately 40 students in grades 7-12 are enrolled in the after-school program. After completing a series of self-assessments, students connect with local businesses based on their passions.
“It’s whatever you want,” said Thomas Pieri of the ICE program. “You can decide where you want to go and what you want to see.”
Most recently, students went on a field trip to a local 3D pattern printer.
“We have a student committee, and they come up with ideas about what they want to do. ‘Hey, we want to go see hospitals, and someday we want to be nurses. ”’ O’Donnell said.
“We never want it to look, taste, smell or feel like a school,” Superintendent Dennis Dunham said.
We hope to conduct weekly field trips to local businesses that will spark student interest.
“Rather than adults developing programs for students, they develop programs,” Dunham said.
Students look forward to meeting other students with similar career interests.
“I think it’s a good opportunity for the kids to get together and talk more,” said Tayla Zepanich with the ICE program.
The Leetonia School District wants to be a model for other schools exploring non-traditional learning methods.
“They already have great ideas, they want to start doing community service, they’re planning fundraisers, they’re really wanting to take on leadership roles,” O’Donnell said.