Graduation Matters in Jefferson County

Although Graduation Matters may be discontinued on the statewide level, backers of Graduation Matters Jefferson County say the program will continue locally. The program focuses the community and school on young people and their education, with a goal of every student graduating from high school ready for career or college. That goal is worthy of continuing the program even without statewide support. 

That was the conclusion of a recent meeting of the local group. The group reviewed what has been accomplished to date at Jefferson High as a result of the campaign. That includes a school-wide rally to introduce the campaign to the students and community; two highly successful FAFSA (Free Application For Federal Student Assistance) nights to help JHS seniors fill out the financial aid forms; a JHS mentoring program; and a Cap and Gown Walkthrough area schools, with graduation seniors being congratulated like rock stars by elementary students in Boulder, Clancy and Montana City. 

Plans for the rest of the year include an end of the year barbecue, a Graduation Matters event for eighth graders preparing to enter high school, and a Cap & Gown Walk. Graduation Matters Jefferson County will meet again May 2 at 6:00 p.m. at the JHS library. For more information or to join the school-community campaign, call Fritz Bieler at 225-9434 or Terry Minow at 225-4397.