voices

CHANGING COURSE

Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, which teaches financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship, shifts to virtual methods to inspire brighter tomorrows. | BY ANGELA FISHER

There’s no doubt that go- their education. So, we developed two tackling virtual learning with your ing school is different this new virtual program delivery models children for the first time. You can easyear, and families have available this school year to continue to ily access these resources at jaswfl.org. had to grapple with new provide them with the tools, resources We couldn’t do this critical work challenges and questions and support they need to navigate these without the help of our valuable about their children’s education. Does uncertain times. Our volunteer-deliv- volunteers and sponsors. With our new my child go to school in-person, do ered, kindergarten-through-12th-grade virtual programming, we have the they attend virtually, or do they do a virtual programs foster work-readiness, potential to reach more students than mixture of both? Will these significant entrepreneurship and financial literacy ever before. Volunteering has also been changes impact their learning? skills and use experiential learning to made simpler as it can be done from

Junior Achievement of Southwest inspire students in our community to the home or office, or even prereFlorida has asked these questions dream big and reach their potential, corded. Those interested in volunteerright along with you. That’s why we despite our current challenges. ing can visit our website to submit a accelerated our program offerings to Did you know that Junior Achieve- volunteer form and be contacted by an continue delivering an impactful and ment students are 30% more likely education manager. All our volunteers important curriculum for students and to get a bachelor’s degree, and 67% receive training, connection to the educators in the 2020-2021 school year more likely to get an advanced degree? classroom, content to share with stuunder the current unusual circum- They’re also 14% more likely to start dents and support to ensure the process stances. their own business, 143% more likely goes smoothly.

A survey from Junior Achievement to be business owners, and earn 20% Funding is also vital to continue by research firm ENGINE Insights more than their peers. I would encour- this critical work helping to shape our showed that two-thirds of teens (66%) age you to speak with your children’s future generations and providing supwere concerned about attending school teachers and determine how they can port to parents like you, as well as our in-person, with a significant percent- implement our new programs in their outstanding educators. Donations and age (39%) responding that they were classrooms. We’re here to help them as sponsorships of all levels are welcome “extremely” or “very” concerned. It’s well as they tackle new ways of teach- and can be made easily on our website. likely that your child, and you as their ing this year. Our ultimate goal is to support parent, shared these concerns as you In addition to our formal program- the dreams of our youth and instill in made decisions earlier this fall. ming, Junior Achievement of South- them that anything is still possible. If

We, along with you, want the best west Florida has made free online we demonstrate our belief in them tofor our local students and want them resources, such as activities and videos, gether, they will believe in themselves, to feel confident as they continue available to parents. Many of you are too. After that, the sky is the limit.

Angela Fisher is the president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida. She has a passion for providing opportunities for youth and assisting in building a better community for our region.

NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL

Owen-Ames-Kimball Company hosted a topping off ceremony for the new Lehigh Acres Middle School on September 23. A topping-off ceremony is held when the last beam is placed atop a structure during construction. About 1,400 students enrolled at Lehigh Middle will move into the new facility at 651 Sunrise Blvd., Lehigh Acres, in fall 2021. Here, Principal Brian Gibson addresses the audience.

PHOTO BY KINFAY MOROTI, HOPEFUL IMAGES