Danville High School Future Problem Solvers; Working for Upper Classmen and Their Futures

(ABOVE) Danville High School Future Problem Solvers and guest students and adults await the arrival of Congresswoman Robin Kelly for Thursday morning’s roundtable discussion on gun violence.

It was last school year that the mission of Danville High School’s Future Problem Solvers was showing appreciation for teachers, with their Locally Elevating Our Neighborhood and Schools (L.E.N.S.) project.

This year’s mission will be called “Future Forward,” to prepare upper classmen at DHS for their futures; and making sure they understand their options and feel more prepared.  Future Problem Solvers’ Isaiah Easton says the first step was giving upper classmen a place to go to work on or talk about the future.  And a classroom on the northwest corner of Danville High School’s first floor was chosen.

(1st Picture) FPS’ Isaiah Easton introduces Congresswoman Robin Kelly at start of Thursday’s program.  (2nd Picture) FPS DHS faculty sponsor Lori Woods listens in on student discussion  (3rd Picture) Congresswoman Kelly interacts with students.

AUDIO: A lot of the juniors and seniors when they are applying to college, and just planning for their life beyond college; we noticed that they weren’t getting all of the support that they necessarily desired.  So what this room is created for; providing a space where they can come together, with students and with their teachers, to create a plan for what they’re going to do after high school.

Future Problem Solvers faculty sponsor Lori Woods says no matter what type of future DHS students might have in mind, her students want to help other students believe in which one they choose.

(1st Picture) DHS Principal Jacob Bretz gets ready to hear roundtable discussion.  (Last Picture) Danville Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr listens in.

AUDIO: It’s looking at college and career both, and military; like all the paths.  And that there’s not one best path, it’s the path best for you.  And that’s what’s really different about this space and the project; it’s supporting everybody no matter what.  We’re not just a college prep room, we’re a career prep room.  What do you need from your school to go to the next step?

Isaiah Easton added that the students just need to take the initiative to stop by.  They can be helped by Future Problem Solvers students, as well as teachers.

AUDIO: Students can come in during their lunch periods.  They basically sit down for 30 minutes, and they just work.  They can work with their peers, they can work with Ms. Woods; and FPS is going to provide a resource for how we can help them and how we can find resources for them.

A roundtable session on gun violence, with special guest Congresswoman Robin Kelly, was hosted by the Future Problem Solvers in the special classroom on Thursday morning (September 7th).