USD 490’s College, Career and Community Advisor Staci Rickard has had a busy few weeks coordinating opportunities for students to explore post secondary options.
On Sept. 16, 2024, seniors attended a Career Fair at Circle High School to learn about local career possibilities.
On Oct. 8, 2024, seniors had the opportunity to apply to many Kansas colleges and universities for free as part of the statewide Apply Kansas event. This was a three-day window where application fees for many Kansas post-secondary schools were waived as an incentive to encourage students to apply. Staci coordinated volunteers to help students complete applications and had banners available for students to celebrate completing the application.
On Oct. 9, 2024, students from EHS and Extend attended Emporia State University’s CyberCon 2.0 to learn more about technology and cybersecurity.
On Oct. 16, 2024, juniors attended a College Fair at Butler Community College to learn more about college programs and options from across the state.
Rickard also schedules college and career representatives to visit during lunchtime so students can learn more about what they have to offer. The ones who have visited so far this year include: Fort Hays State University, Wichita State University, Independence Community College, Kansas State University, Emporia State University, Marines, U.S. Army, Lincoln Tech, Bethel College, McPherson College, Foley Equipment ThinkBIG internship program, and Kansas Workforce.
For USD 490 second grade students, Rickard has recruited 27 volunteers for I Can Read Program, kicking off the new school year with a lunch and learn on Sept. 13, 2024. These volunteers work on reading skills with second grade students who need some extra reading support for 30 minutes each week.
