ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL — Diane Sogan teaches intervention and prevention at the Family Recovery Center. Sogan, along with prevention specialist Lindsey Murgatroyd, spoke with Vance Miller, director of the Jefferson County Alternative School Quest for Success Center, following the first class of its outreach program, which teaches teenagers facts about vaping and sexting. Joining the discussion was Sgt. Rob Cole of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department. Cole serves as a resource officer at the center. Taking part in the discussion were, clockwise from left, Sogan, Murgatroyd, Miller and Cole. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — Educators at the Jefferson County Alternative School Quest for Success Center are offering programs to help students from participating school districts get back on track. Director Vance Miller said its location is now in the School of Bright Promise, as the school has grown.

“We started out with just two classrooms and have grown to a third,” Miller stated, adding there are many different supports, including intervention specialist Patty Ferrell and Noah Fuller, a Franciscan University of Steubenville graduate working as a tutor.

Miller’s staff includes assistant educators Jose Davis and Jason Swartzmiller and the center’s resource officer, Sgt. Rob Cole of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.

Miller explained the alternative school averages 25 to 30 students a day, offering alternative placement for a variety of reasons, including suspension, behavioral issues or health needs. The school works with kindergarteners through 12th-graders, but typically works with third-graders through seniors. Age levels are kept separate and the school is separated from the School of Bright Promise. Miller said students can be sent to the alternative school for a period of days or for the remainder of the year.

Gregg Bahen, who serves as a liaison to the Jefferson County Juvenile Court, checks the status of students on probation and has seen the benefits of attending the alternative school.

“We’ve got kids that are here for different reasons and they get a lot of one-on-one supervision,” Bahen said. “They get the attention here that sometimes they don’t get. The kids are in good hands.”

Six probation officers conduct wellness checks, Miller said, noting they are a big support for the students. However, the main support is the parents, he added. “From getting their kids here, making sure they get here on time, picking them up on time if they don’t ride on a bus.”

Miller said a lot of stakeholders play a role in the success of these students. Staff often work with those who are struggling with trauma, family or psychological issues. His educators meet the challenge of reaching their students.

“The staff at the alternative school participate in a lot of trainings, but understand the importance of taking a step back and understanding every kid’s different,” he stated. “There’s no one-size-fits-all for everyone. Looking at the individual and understanding what they’re going through helps.”

Swartzmiller has taught at the alternative school for six years. He explained, “It can be tough because some of them kind of want to do things their own way, but we try to do our best to tell them and show them what the right thing is to do. The ESC office provides us with a bunch of different resources that we can use to help these kids out.”

The alternative school launched a program aimed at vaping and sexting among teens.

Diane Sogan, who teaches intervention and prevention at the Family Recovery Center, along with prevention specialist Lindsey Murgatroyd, spoke to teenagers about vaping and its chemical contents.

Sogan said they will visit the alternative school twice a week. “We want to have a relationship with the kids. If they have any questions or concerns about vaping, sexting, alcohol, drugs, we have lots of resources, so we want to make those resources available. A lot of times kids have stuff on their mind and they don’t know how to ask.”

Sogan commended the work being done at the alternative school and its staff’s commitment. She stated, “Anybody that works in the alternative school is doing a great job, and there’s a lot that is asked of any teacher nowadays.”

Miller said an immunization program begins April 10 for those entering seventh grade or starting their senior year, as they are required to be vaccinated against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis and meningitis. Vaccines will be provided by the Jefferson County Health Department.

Officials were excited to have been awarded a $5,000 grant with the assistance of Nicole McDonald, director of grants at Jefferson County ESC. The grant was used for science, technology, engineering and math. The school will start the new year off with a set of STEM kits.

The ESC works with several school districts, including Buckeye Local, Edison, Harrison Hills, Indian Creek, Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, Steubenville City Schools, Southern Local, Toronto and Utica Shale Academy. The JCESC Alternative School Quest for Success Center is located at 256 John Scott Highway. For information, call (740) 381-7150 or visit jcesc.k12.oh.us.