Felician Village recognized for partnership in education

Herald Times Reporter

MANITOWOC — On Feb. 29, Felician Village was one of nine organizations in the state to receive recognition for supporting student academic achievement.

In naming her 2008 Business Friends of Education, State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster noted that business partnerships are the foundation for successful school- and work-based programs.

"Work-based learning empowers students to apply academic and technical knowledge in a dynamic business or industry setting. As a result of service-learning, State Certified Co-op, Youth Apprenticeships, and industry partnerships, our youth are better prepared for their future roles in the 21 century global workforce," she said.

Felician Village was recognized for providing many Family and Consumer Education students in the Manitowoc School District an extension of their classroom. Over the past 12 years, the assisted living and nursing home has provided workplace mentors to the students enrolled in the Health Services Youth Apprenticeship Program. For the past 20 years, St. Mary's has partnered with the work experience program in all career and technical education areas to provide positions and student mentors in dietary science, nursing, housekeeping, and sales and customer service. Joan Smaglik, nurse educator; Jennifer Collins, activity manager; and Joyce Greenwood-Aerts, director of human resources, have been instrumental in organizing this program at Felician Village.

This is the sixth year these awards have been given to recognize the value of business and industry partnerships in helping students gain 21st century skills. Sharon Wendt, Director of the Department of Public Instruction's Career and Technical Education Team, presented the awards on behalf of the state superintendent. Greenwood-Aerts accepted the award on behalf of Felician Village.

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