Lee district's Parent Advisory Council hosts 1st job fair

BISHOPVILLE - Lee County School District's Parent Advisory Council will host its inaugural job fair on Saturday, May 11, from 9 a.m. to noon at Lee Central Middle School, 41 Charlenes Lane.

Lugoff Ford of Elgin, Lee County School District, Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Kentucky Fried Chicken, Lee County EMS and Republic Services, all of Bishopville, and Department of Corrections of Columbia, AllStaff Employment and Occupational Health Services LLC of Camden and others will be on hand to offer employment opportunities.

In what is sometimes referred to as a reverse job fair, Lee County's Career and Technology Center students will have booths set up showcasing their skills and portfolios to employers looking to hire skilled workers.

"We are excited about the opportunity to engage our students, parents and community with this project," LCSD Superintendent Dr. Wanda Andrews said. "Securing skills to obtain and then to actually successfully operate in desired positions is the objective we have for our students."

Career and Technology Center programs include agriculture, automotive technology, building construction, business education, cosmetology, early childhood education/teacher cadets, engineering/mechatronics, foods and nutrition, health science, marketing and welding technology.

"The Lee County Career and Technology Center students will be given an opportunity to meet face to face with employers that are actively seeking qualified employees with the necessary soft skills," CATE Director Tonya Porter said. "Students will be given an opportunity to showcase their talents in a professional environment. In addition, employers that participate in a job and/or career fair will develop a strong brand awareness among job seekers, students and potential employees."

"Yet another purpose of the job fair is to present those, particularly parents, who are un/underemployed with viable job options," Angela Crosland, LCSD Title I Parent Liaison, said. "We believe a parent's ability to efficiently care for their child positively impacts the education of the student."

Those options could include Crown Health Care Laundry of Bishopville, Continental Tire the Americas of Sumter, Sonoco of Hartsville and Weylchem of Elgin, which were all invited.

For additional information about how you can participate in the job fair, contact Crosland at (803) 484-5327.

Spoken word competition

Lee County School District's Parent Advisory Council will host its first-ever Spoken Word Competition at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, at Lee Central High School, 1800 Wisacky Highway.

The theme, "Food for Thought: Mind, Body, Soul" is intended to provoke reflection on how a holistic approach at education or nearly anything in life yields positive outcomes.

The entire community is encouraged to participate, fulfilling a pledge of Title I - to engage parents/families, communities and schools to work together for the education and equipping of students to become productive citizens.

So far, students from elementary to high school, parents and key figures in the community are on tap to compete in the coffee house/cafe-like experience.

LCHS' cafeteria will be transformed into a hip, new spot for poets, neo-soul, rap enthusiasts and various orators to share their thoughts. As a special treat, opening remarks in the form of the spoken word will be presented by LCSD Superintendent Dr. Wanda Andrews.

Work must be original, positive and tie into the theme. Memorization is encouraged but not necessary. Participants may read only one piece of their work of three minutes or less. Profanity or other inappropriate material is not permitted.

First-place prize is a $75 gift card, second place is a $50 gift card and third place is a $25 gift card. Consolation prizes will also be given away.

Work will be judged on creativity, expression, understanding and stage presence.

Email your recitation/reading to croslanda@lee.k12.sc.us by April 30 for approval.