Religious Instruction • Strong Academics • Foreign Language • Cutting Edge Technology Leadership Programs • PE and Interscholastic Sports • Instrumental and Vocal Music “Arts Attack” Program • School Nurse • Bus Transportation Available Visit our br and new campus for a tour today! Some spots still available! 3901 East Indian School Road • 602-957-7010 • www.clsphx.org Christ Lutheran sChooL Christian Values. Quality Education. Preschool through Grade 8 Applications are being accepted for the 2015-2016 school year. Page 46 September 2015 By Michelle Donati-Grayman One in four students from Phoenix Union High School District – the largest high school district in Maricopa County with more than 27,000 students – doesn’t graduate from high school in four years. Valley of the Sun United Way, community partners, and a group of dedicated volunteers are doing something to change those statistics. Destination Graduation – a brainchild of Valley of the Sun United Way – leverages early warning data, including attendance, behavior and course competency, and combines it with early intervention and support services to ensure students are on the path to high school graduation “We are thrilled to partner with Jobs for Arizona Graduates, school districts and schools, including Central High School, to prepare our young people to achieve success in the middle grades, graduate high school and get ready for college and a career,” said Julia Estrada, education and youth director for Valley of the Sun United Way. A key component of Destination Graduation is community and volunteer engagement. The program recruits community volunteers to serve as mentors and classroom advisors who help students in middle school and high school build knowledge and confidence to overcome obstacles that prevent them from succeeding in school. Five years ago, Destination Graduation began partnering with community volunteers and placing them in freshmen classrooms at Central High School. Volunteers visit classrooms an average of twice per month, delivering curriculum designed to increase resiliency skills in freshmen students by exploring their current lives, motivators, actions and goals. Travis Hardin became a classroom advisor during the program’s inaugural year after learning about the opportunity at Wells Fargo, where he works as an assistant vice president and communications consultant. Hardin said he enjoys the ability to teach but learns just as much, if not more, from his students. “It is a tremendous blessing to be able to sew into the lives of these young people,” Hardin said. “Everyone is not fortunate to come from the best of situations.” In addition to delivering classroom curriculum, this year classroom advisors will also hold report card conferences with students. For students at risk of failing a class, classroom advisors will work with them to create a contract to get back on track. “Destination Graduation works with students and data to uncover the students’ needs which range from academic, resiliency skill building to basic needs,” Estrada said. “The classroom advisory program at Central High School helps students navigate hurdles that may come up and connects them with caring volunteers who will help the student continue on the path toward graduation.” School districts currently participating in Destination Graduation include Phoenix Union High, Phoenix Elementary #1, Balsz Elementary and Osborn. The 2015-16 school year is underway, but it isn’t too late to get involved with this program. To learn more, visit vsuw.org. Nonprofit aims to improve graduation rates Alexis (L) and Luis (R) thank their classroom advisors and Destination Graduation volunteers for their help and support.

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