The REACH Career Education Program, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of Sandusky County, in partnership with its fiscal partner, the Sandusky County Economic Development Corporation, has successfully moved into its fourth year at the Green Springs School (fourth grade) (Clyde-Green Springs School District), its third year at Woodmore School (fifth grade) (Woodmore District), and second year at the York and Ellis Schools (fifth grade) (Bellevue City Schools) and Sacred Heart School (fifth grade) in Fremont. In addition, fourth grade classes at the South Main Street and Vine Street Schools (Clyde-Green Springs District) have joined the program this year, so that some 350 students in 10 fifth-grade classrooms and 6 fourth grade classrooms are participating in REACH for the 2006-2007 school year.

A total of 11 Business Partners (all Chamber members) - Memorial Hospital, First Financial Bank, St. Francis Health Care Center, Kelly Services and Sandco Industries (Green Springs School), Luckey Farmers, Inc., Martin-Marietta Magnesia Specialties, Memorial Hospital and Woodbridge Corp. (Woodmore School), Croghan Colonial Bank, The Bellevue Hospital, Progress Plastics Corp. and Tranzitionz Salon & Spa (Bellevue Schools), Memorial Hospital and Croghan Bank (Sacred Heart Schools) – provide Consultants who visit the classrooms one class period per month throughout the school year in order to introduce the students to their companies in particular and the “world of work” in general. They follow a curriculum originally developed by Ohio State University for the Marion, OH School District.

Lessons covered in the curriculum workbook include: Exploring the World of Work, Habits and Attitudes That Make Good Workers, Jobs That Match My Talents and Interests, Communication, Teamwork and Interdependence, Technology, Equal Opportunity, Making Decisions and In The Workplace (visit to Consultant’s place of business).

Funding for the REACH Program has come from 8 Financial Partners, including the Whirlpool Foundation, the United Way of Sandusky County (Venture Grants), Tech Prep grants, The Bellevue United Select Fund, American Electric Power, and gifts from Curwood, Inc., Memorial Hospital and SCHRMA. Long-range planning goals include expansion of the REACH Program to additional fifth grade classes in school districts throughout Sandusky County.


submitted by:
Jim Miranda
REACH Coordinator

Please contact the Sandusky County Chamber of Commerce office at 419.332.1591 for further information.