Program Launched To Fight Washoe School Dropouts

The "Don't Drop Out Drop In" initiative to encourage students to stay in school and curtail dropouts began Monday in the Washoe County School District.

Information cards and posters were developed to promote alternative education options and support a 13-minute DVD program and a series of public service announcements featuring current and former students who tell stories of how they overcame obstacles to achieve their education goals.

"The primary goal is to make sure our high school students know about the optional programs the district has," district spokesman Steve Mulvenon said. "If they feel they are not successful in traditional high school, we want to help them stay in school and on track and get their diplomas."

The district's 18,500 high school students are required to watch the film during school hours once in November, he said.

The information cards and movie posters list names, addresses and telephone numbers of five programs -- Washoe High School, Washoe On-line Learning for the Future, TMCC High School, Supplemental Credit and the Academy for Arts, Careers and Technology.

The school board's student advisory council produced the DVD along with the district Media Production Department, AACT Digital Video Production and the Safe and Drug Free Schools Office.

October 14, 2008