
May 4, 2023-Employers, administrators, and relatives of DPS 61 students were in attendance at Eisenhower High School as students signed their certificates of acceptance to employment, programs, or college offers upon successful completion of the Career Pathway programs.
As a district, DPS 61 strives to set up students for career readiness. The district does so with the Career Pathway programs, and partnering with college institutions such as Richland Community College and with employers such as Caterpillar, HSHS St. Mary’s, Decatur Memorial Hospital, and more. These programs and employers can lead to full time pay, benefits, options for healthcare, retirement, and tuition reimbursement.
“As a district, we are looking to build and find the passions of our students, whether they are on the college bound track, or they are going into the workforce, military trade, or different experiences,” Ashley Grayned, Executive Director of Innovative Programs and Strategic Planning said.
DPS 61 believes it is important to recognize students who take the untraditional route following graduation, but also who start working towards that route while still in high school.
“I don’t know if you truly understand the hard work that it takes for a young man or woman to do what we do everyday and go to school,” Dr. Rochelle Harris-Clark, DPS 61 Superintendent said. “It takes dedication. It takes a lot of concentration. It takes a lot of sacrifice because on those days where they can be hanging out with their friends, they are going to work. They are studying. They are trying to do what it takes to get that step ahead. So they can give back to our community, but also they want to be the next or future someone else. They have dreams and they are making these dreams come true, and so for that, I am proud of the steps you are taking.”