The KHSD, in collaboration with several districts and educational organizations, invited 700 middle and high school students and their parents for a one-day conference in the Dore Theatre at CSUB, on Saturday, August 12, 2017.
“The academic success of all students in the KHSD is the ultimate goal of our Superintendent and our Board of Trustees. The KHSD is pleased to partner with our local AKA Sorority, while working with our staff members, our educational partners, and community members, to support our students as they journey through high school. Together, we can do much.” - Dr. Brenda Lewis, KHSD Associate Superintendent of Instruction
Donna Burch is a freshman at Stockdale High School who brought her mom along to learn strategies to help her be successful in school. Her mom, Carla, said she was impressed with the level of interest the KHSD has in its students.
Families attended workshops and were given resources on A-G completion and college options, homework support and intervention, classroom etiquette, test-taking strategies, FAFSA and scholarships, peer pressure and leadership, and the importance of mentoring.
The Gordon family accompanied their son Wesley to the event to gather as much information as possible to help their son achieve his goal of becoming a music educator. His mom, Nancy, says he had many opportunities at Bakersfield High School, and they were excited to see what information was available to further his education.
Town Hall speakers included Dr. Bryon Schaefer, Superintendent, KHSD; Dr. Brenda Lewis, Associate Superintendent, KHSD; Lewis Neal, Youth Services Supervisor, Bakersfield City School District (BCSD); Dr. Paula Parks, Professor, Bakersfield College (BC); Dr. Jacqueline Mimms, Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management, CSUB; and Keynote speaker Arleana Waller, the She Power Ambassador.
Bakersfield Chief of Police Lyle Martin and the Honorable Gloria Cannon, the first African American female judge in Kern County, lead a workshop on peer pressure and leadership.
Chief Martin shared advice with the students urging them to surround themselves with good people, work hard, and do more than what is expected of them.
“We are grateful to our community leaders and organizations for assisting in making this day possible, and for sharing in our belief that today's African American youth can truly affect a positive change in our community and the world if they are equipped with the Next Step." - Odella Johnson, Coordinator, Project Next Step
The event wrapped up with a presentation by Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh recognizing the work and contributions of Dr. Caren Floyd.
Project Next Step is a collaboration between leaders from our educational system and community organizations to support and prepare the students for the next step to achieve their full potential as future professionals and leaders. Organizers included representatives from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; Kappa Omega Omega Chapter, the Bakersfield Ivy Legacy Foundation, KHSD, CSUB, BC, and BCSD.
