Write a commentAn alternative environment to the traditional school setting has proven successful for 11 Oswego County students who have attended the Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation’s CARE program.
CARE, or Credit Accrual & Recovery for Everyone, has provided those 11 seniors with compassion, hope, help and guidance needed for them to be educationally and socially successful. Principal Robyn Proud said a combination of the students’ willingness to overcome obstacles, assistance of in-person instruction, online learning, support from CiTi staff members and both the staff and students of SUNY Oswego has been the catalyst for increasing progress and opportunities for the first cohort of CARE graduates.
“They went from no self-confidence to college and career ready,” she said, as she teared up.
Proud’s love and understanding for the CiTi/CARE scholars has been reciprocated by the students themselves. Britney Manford, of the Hannibal Central School District, called Proud “the best principal ever” and said she was someone who understood and cared for each student.
“It’s literally a big family here,” she said of the CARE program.
Manford’s success, Proud said, was that she finished four years of high school in three years, thanks to the flexible structure of the CARE program. Manford will either enter the military or continue her education to become a cosmetologist. Fellow graduate Griffin Axtell, of the Oswego City School District, said some of his biggest takeaways from the program are his ability to feel good about himself and enjoy life. He plans to attend Cayuga Community College in Fulton.
CARE graduates recently held a graduation celebration with one another, but they will walk across the stage with their home school district classmates. Many CiTi employees of the CARE program will attend those ceremonies and the graduates’ parties.
Throughout the 2017-2018 school year, there have been 43 students who have attended CARE, either through a half-day or full-day program. All 11 graduates, she said, will graduate with their cohorts, which increases their home school district’s graduation rate.
Proud expressed thanks to SUNY Oswego for its partnership throughout the past few years. A total of 35 college students volunteered with the program to help increase the success of each CARE student. CARE is currently housed in the lower level of Sheldon Hall on campus.
Additional 2018 CARE graduates include: Brandon Dobbs (Altmr-Parish-Williamstown Central School District), Taylor Barlow (Oswego City School District), Colin Gushlaw (Sandy Creek Central School District), Zach Cronk (Altmar-Parish-Williamstown Central School District), Kaylee Polmanteer (Oswego City School District), Sabrina Fredenburg (Oswego City School District), Hailey Sebelowitz (Altmar-Parish-Williamstown Central School District), Josh Losurdo (Oswego City School District) and Morgan Bennett (Altmar-Parish-Williamstown Central School District).
