Bath County students showcase JAG program; students to develop statewide elder‑abuse curriculum

Bath County students on Oct. 20 presented classroom and extracurricular programs to the Board of Education, with high‑school JAG students describing career, life‑skills and service projects and middle‑school students performing dramatic readings.

Wayne Ann Caudle, identified in the meeting as the JAG (Jobs for America's Graduates) specialist at Bath County High School, told the board JAG uses a project‑based approach and partners with local and statewide employers to support career pathways and soft‑skills training. Caudle said JAG seniors who graduate from JAG programs have nationally reported graduation rates higher than the national average and that the local JAG class combines classroom instruction with employer engagement and a year‑long service‑learning project.

Caudle said the JAG Career Association officers and students will develop an elder‑abuse prevention curriculum for Kentucky high schools in coordination with Kentucky Adult Protective Services and the Gateway Elder Abuse Council. "Our plan is at that event next June, our officers and myself ... will join the proclamation ceremony and unveil our curriculum," Caudle said; Alexis Armstrong, the program's executive vice president, told the board she has enjoyed JAG and highlighted lessons on career planning and teamwork.

Earlier in the meeting, Bath County Middle School staff and students presented a preview of their upcoming 's'more stories and spooky science' event, featuring student readings and a chili cook‑off; named student performers included Blake Sparks, Jasmine Patton, Grace Peck and Bradley Beagle.

The board applauded both student presentations. Caudle asked community members with employer or other partnership connections to contact her to support JAG students' employer engagement and the planned elder‑abuse curriculum.