St. Martin Parish College and Career Readiness Center opens Dec. 10

The St. Martin Parish School Board’s College and Career Readiness Center opens officially with a ribbon-cutting Thursday, Dec. 10, starting at 9:30 a.m. at the site of the former Breaux Bridge Elementary School, 702 W. Bridge St.
The center will offer a variety of programs designed to meet the needs of high school students and employers. Students will earn industry-based certification and college credits. It has begun enrolling students for the spring semester.
Under principal Elizabeth Thibeaux-Clay, the center will offer the following programs:
•ProStart – A nationwide program to develop restaurant and food-service professionals. Sharon Courville, instructor.
•Nursing Assistant – Prepares students to pass the state nursing assistant certification (CNA) test. Patricia Gail Mello, instructor.
•Oil and Gas – Students learn about oil and gas production processes and achieve industry certification in Production Safety Systems (T2). Thomas Hollier, instructor.
•Cosmetology – An introduction to haircare, skin care and nail care. Bonita Latiolais and Michelle Allemand, instructors.
•Electrician – Uses the National Center for Construction Education Research core curriculum to prepare students to work in the electrical field. Cornelius Martinez, instructor.
•JROTC – Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps promotes leadership and teaches students about achievement, wellness, character, diversity and citizenship. Maj. David Terrell and Sgt. Vincent Starwood, instructors.
All programs will be extended to students enrolled in grades 11 and 12 at each of the parish’s three high schools, Cecilia, Breaux Bridge and St. Martinville. Transportation will be provided to students with morning and afternoon sessions offered.
The elementary school has relocated to the Breaux Bridge Primary campus at 1020 E. Bridge St. as part of a board-approved plan to balance student enrollment.
The center will beef up the parish’s Jump Start initiative, said Superintendent of Schools Lottie Beebe. Jump Start is a statewide revamp of the career diploma to better prepare high school students for success after graduation with certifications and skills to continue their education or find a job.
Partnering with businesses and industries, the center will be able to expand its curriculum to meet regional workforce demands, Beebe said.
She said the center is a means to encourage students who might otherwise drop out to earn their high school diploma, along with some relevant career skills.
“I think it will stimulate excitement for students to stay motivated to stay in school,” she said. “We’re losing students that drop out. This is a way that they can have a focus.”