Article Details

For immediate release:
Jan. 14, 2013

Kathy Toelkes, Director of Communications, 785-296-4876

Fredonia Schools Family and Consumer Sciences Programs
Recognized as Exemplary CTE Partners

TOPEKA – The Kansas State Department of Education Career Technical Education (CTE) team recently recognized the Family and Consumer Science (FCS) programs at Fredonia Middle School and Fredonia High School as exemplary Kansas CTE partners.  This quarterly recognition highlights successful CTE programs that prepare students to succeed in further education and careers through alignment with workforce and postsecondary requirements and providing opportunities to work collaboratively with local businesses and communities. 

“Kansas CTE enjoys a great reputation locally, at the state level, and on the national stage.  That reputation is validated each school year through the hard work and dedication of CTE partners who are committed to providing quality CTE for the students in Kansas,” said Jay Scott, KSDE assistant director for CTE.  “Across the state, we are recognizing ‘bright spots’ for their excellence in CTE so they can serve as models for other programs working to ensure all students in Kansas become college and career ready.”

The Fredonia Middle School FCS program, headed by Debra Evans, and the Fredonia High School FCS program, headed by Beth Ireland, were selected for recognition by KSDE because of their holistic commitment to providing hands-on, real-world experience to build the skills that foster success in family life, the workforce and in postsecondary education.  While all Kansas CTE programs offer applied learning opportunities where students can put their classroom learning into action, the efforts of the schools in the Fredonia USD 484 School District are especially notable.

“There are many exceptional examples of strong FCS departments across the state,” said Gayla Randel, KSDE education program consultant for FCS, “however Fredonia stands out. Fredonia Middle/High School FCS is a great example of what can happen when the parental and administrative support for CTE is in place, highly qualified FCS instructors are in the classroom, strong career and technical student organization participation is encouraged and a multi-building collaboration is promoted. Their FCS department strength is evident through their achievement in preparing students for success in life through both classroom opportunities and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) experiences.”

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