Ellison Surface Technologies
B.E.S.T. Programs
Programs
1. Ellison Surface Technologies – sponsored Awards totaling $2500
² One $500 college/technical school scholarship awarded to a graduating senior
² One $250 cash award given to a student who excels in the science/technology area and plans to pursue advanced education/training in that field
² One $250 cash award given to a student who is involved in volunteer and/or service projects
² One $500 “Integrity Award” given to a student who has consistently demonstrated the virtues of honesty and integrity, has taken pride in his/her school, and has served as a role model for his/her peers.
² Winners are selected by a panel of teachers and Ellison Surface Technologies representatives
² Average number of student applicants: 25+
² Teachers/Employees involved: 5-10
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2. Food Drive for the Needy
A joint venture between Ellison Surface Technologies and the FFA organization at Conner High School began in December 2001. Decorated boxes are distributed throughout the E.S.T. plant as well as Conner High School. Ellison employees and Conner High School students, faculty and staff collected food. The donations are sorted and distributed to designated families in need and/or food banks in the local area.
² Students involved: approximately 35 in FFA, but entire student body was canvassed for donations
² Teachers/Employees involved: all faculty and staff at Conner and all employees at Ellison Surface Technologies
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3. Field Trips
Ellison continually allows Conner High School students and teachers who wish to learn more about the company and the sophisticated processes and machinery in use there to visit the company. Students interested in the fields of engineering and science, and clerical fields can take advantage of such opportunities.
² Students involved: Number varies
² Teachers/Employees involved: Number varies
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4. Guaranteed Employability (began in 1999)
The Boone County Board of Education and the business community are currently working together to promote “guaranteed employability” of county school graduates. After completing established district-wide criteria, students will receive a Guaranteed Employability card. The business community vows to give priority to those students who have earned this card. As part of the agreement, the Board of Education agrees to provide a one-time session within one year of issuance of the card.
As part of the evaluation process in determining whether the students have met the appropriate criteria, each county high school will establish it’s own review board. Conner’s review board will consist of an administrator, two teachers from the Business Department, one English/Speech teacher, and a representative from the business community. CHS has invited a representative from Ellison Surface Technologies to serve as our business liaison.
² Students involved: approximately 30 (based on 2001 figures)
² Teachers/Employees involved: 5 on the review board
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5. Job Shadowing / Business Internship
Conner High School students once again took part in an internship program that allows them the opportunity to work closely with Ellison Surface Technologies employees in various capacities. The program, initiated years ago, allowed students to job shadow E.S.T. employees in the areas of marketing, sales, accounting, computers, engineering, and clerical.
Students job shadowed 90 minutes a day for a one-week period.
² Students involved: approximately 4-6
² Teachers/Employees involved: approximately 5-7
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Career-Related Programs
Career Fair/Career Day
Ellison Surface Technologies and Conner High School sponsored the bi-annual career fair/career day in the spring of 2006. Business experts representing over 70 different career fields met and talked with Conner High School students. CHS has initiated the school that works program and is implementing career academies for students. For the first time, presenters were grouped by career majors, which will help students envision the various career fields for each related major. Students gained insight on different career fields, the education or training involved with that field, duties performed, and salary expectations.
² Students involved: approximately 1600 (all CHS students)
² Teachers/Employees involved: approximately 100
² Business/Community Experts: approximately 70
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Career-Related Programs (Established 2001-2002)
1. Decisions, Decisions, Decisions – A Decision Making Project
Sophomore students enrolled in the Practical Living classes participated in a reality-based financial project. Students made both education and career choices. A financial analysis was completed based on student career/education choices, consequences based on these choices, and random life-experiences. There were 27 activities with each activity increasing or decreasing the financial balance. Students maintained a financial summary that represented their individual income.
The financial project was monitored and administered by faculty members and business representatives from the community. Students also completed a reflection questionnaire upon conclusion of the project.
² Students involved: approximately 90 (30 per class, 3 classes)
² Teachers/Employees involved: approximately 5-7
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- Recognition Breakfast for B.E.S.T. Students of the Month
Each month teachers may nominate an outstanding student as a B.E.S.T. Student of the Month. The students selected as Student of the Month receive a certificate from the B.E.S.T. partnership recognizing this achievement along with a gift certificate from a local business.
The student of the month breakfast recognition will be the first week of May. In order to recognize these students as a group, the B.E.S.T. partnership will sponsor a breakfast in May during the Channel One period. Nominated students will have their name entered into a drawing box. Names will be randomly drawn for prizes.
² Students involved: approximately 200-250
² B.E.S.T. Partnership Committee: approximately 10
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