HUDSON — The Hudson City School District is scheduled to hold a press conference Wednesday to introduce the launch, on Feb. 1, of the Hudson Bluehawk Academy.
The pilot school in the Hudson Junior-Senior High School building is designed to emphasize the strengths and interests of students in preparation for life after high school.
“This initiative, led by three extremely talented and devoted new staff members, will assist our efforts in preparing scholars with being ready for life after graduation while integrating key businesses and positive difference makers in the community with our district,” District Superintendent Lisamarie Spindler said Tuesday.
The press conference, which will take place in the Junior-Senior High School cafeteria, is open to the public. After statements by speakers representing the school district, there will be a question-and-answer session.
“As an alumni and a parent of a student in the district, I’m looking forward to see how this unfolds,” Mayor Kamal Johnson said. “I think one of the things that has been missing over the years is a push to make sure our students are ready after high school. I’m excited for this and I can’t wait to see how this turns out.”
Each year, thousands of high school students graduate and enter the work force, university or military. Students who graduate high school don’t always leave fully prepared for the real world, and the complications that the real world brings, especially when it comes to money. Students need to learn how to be responsible with money, how to save, how to pay bills (and the importance of paying them on time), as well as the correct usage of credit.
Basic life skills such as cooking can come in handy when living on their own, during a time when they may not have support close by. These are skills that everyone should be able to master on some level for survival.
Time management is something that graduating high school seniors struggle with when they first enter the work force or college as freshmen. In the long run having proper time management will give people more quality time to relax during their off time. Teaching proper time management reinforces the importance of meeting deadlines in the workforce. Students need to be taught how to create timelines of when upcoming work is due, while setting small, achievable goals along the way. Timely arrivals are also an important part of management.
Self-care is important. Stress is a normal part of the human experience, but today’s young people have a hard time dealing with the everyday pitfalls of life. Some of the common stress factors in graduating high school students include the uncertainties and expectations that the transition from high school to the real world will bring, which in turn can cause excessive worries and fears that disrupt life. Learning about stress and how to manage it more effectively is a basic skill for life.
Extensive career planning is another function of the academy. Job hunting, resumes, cover letters, interviews and thank-you letters are the necessities that students need to master to be successful.