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District highlights career pathways, IPS and college partnerships for stay‑local strategy
Summary
Administrators and principals reviewed Individual Plans of Study (IPS) work and career‑awareness activities across Wiley and Holcomb elementary schools and high school career showcases; the district also discussed a new KSU–GCCC partnership to allow local students to complete four‑year degrees.
Dr. Martin framed the district's individual plans of study (IPS) as a K‑12 strategy to build portable career and success skills, saying the plan should be community driven and not just the superintendent's.
At the elementary level, Jacqueline Castillo of Wiley Elementary described the district's use of the Kansas career sunflower model, monthly career‑field focuses and new classroom "career tents" for purposeful play. "So my name is Jacqueline Castillo and I am at Wiley Elementary," she said, describing preschool and kindergarten career tents and an English/Spanish IPS newsletter for families.
Jennifer Seaman of Holcomb Elementary said Holcomb emphasizes the seven career fields and financial literacy. She said the school used career‑interest surveys and that a potential partnership with Equity Bank could allow students to open savings accounts and run a small in‑school teller program, but that the work is on hold pending the bank securing required regulations.
High school presenters described Western Kansas Career Showcases that expose students to employers and nontraditional career roles and noted plans for advisory systems, dual‑credit classes with Garden City Community College and eventual job‑shadowing for juniors. Dr. Martin and speakers emphasized the program’s goal of "start here, stay here" to retain local talent through affordable pathways from CTE to four‑year degrees.
Board members praised the presentations and no formal vote was required; presenters said outreach and partnerships will continue to develop in the coming months.
