Preparing Students for Successful Futures
December 2021
Pictured above: A group of JAG-K staff and students elected to JAG-K leadership positions visited Washington D.C. this week.
JAG-K Joins Partnership to Sponsor Youth Registered Apprenticeships
As sponsor of the first Youth Registered Apprenticeship (YRA) in the state, JAG-K will soon help provide students an exciting apprenticeship opportunity in technology.

A partnership between JAG-K, the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE), the Kansas Department of Commerce, and the Topeka Unified School District 501 will create apprenticeships on the KSDE Information Technology team.

JAG-K will serve as the “intermediary sponsor” in the YRA partnership, meaning it will help recruit for and coordinate the program, as well as support participants through academic and technical training aligned with IT occupations.
JAG-K Hires Former Participant as New Career Specialist in Salina
When the Jobs for America’s Graduates – Kansas (JAG-K) program at Salina South High School needed a new Career Specialist last summer, an interesting candidate stepped up to the plate.
 
Who better to understand the impact JAG-K can have on students than a former participant in the program? And who better to catch Salina South students in need of help than a former star catcher on the school’s softball team?
 
Paige Parker, a 2016 graduate of Salina South, was hired in July to assume the leadership of the JAG-K program when former Career Specialist Melissa Gates became the new business teacher at the school.
Students Learn About Leadership on D.C. Visit
A group of JAG participants from Kansas spent four days in Washington D.C. on a leadership development trip. In addition to touring the nation’s capital and meeting with members of the Kansas Congressional delegation and staff, the students also participated in the JAG National Student Leadership Academy (NSLA), which was held virtually for the second consecutive year.

NSLA features nationally renowned speakers who focus on leadership development. The four students, who were elected by their peers to lead the JAG-K student state career association, participated in virtual workshops and seminars designed to equip them for their responsibilities.

The elected JAG-K state career association officers who traveled to Washington D.C. were:

Devin Russell-Unger - Augusta High School, State CA President
Ryah Klima - Concordia High School, State CA Vice President
Karin Moorhous - Hiawatha High School, State CA Secretary
Kaden Nguyen - Emporia High School, State CA Treasurer
Opportunity to Support JAG-K on #GivingTuesday2021 Remains
Tuesday, Nov. 30, was #GivingTuesday2021, a global movement to connect those who want to give to organizations impacting their communities. JAG-K encouraged giving to support its missions via social media and direct emails to a host of contacts.

See the letter sent by JAG-K to promote #GivingTuesday2021

"It's not too late to give," said Mark Bisbing, Director of Strategic Advancement. "In fact, there's never a bad time to reach out to find out how you can help JAG-K.

"We are looking to develop a foundation of support among individuals and businesses across Kansas who care about young people and want to provide educational opportunities for them for their future success."

Even though #GivingTuesday2021 has passed, you can support JAG-K. Go to
National Article Praises 'Best Kept Secret'
JAG: A 'best kept secret' that has helped 1.5 million...

"We're the best kept secret," says Kenneth M. Smith, president and CEO of Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG). It's a 40-year-old "secret" that serves tens-of-thousands of at-risk youths with great promise each year, teaching them in-demand...

Read more
workingnation.com
Nation at Risk - Again?
Governors' Letter Describes Importance of JAG Programs Across the Country
The nation at risk-again | Opinion

In April 1983, the U.S. National Commission on Excellence in Education, a special commission appointed by the secretary of Education, conducted an in-depth analysis of the state of American education and revealed their conclusions in one of the...

Read more
www.newsweek.com
Coffee With Chuck:
Compensation and Culture of Potential Employer
Coffee with Chuck: Talking about Student Visits,...

Chuck chats about some of his recent visits with students, a speaking event with Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. and the importance of reviewing the total compensation...

Read more
www.youtube.com
Shop with Dillons and Amazon and support JAG-K!

Preparing Students
for Successful Futures