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       Entire families are coming to the campus of Cypress Creek High School.  They are coming because of something called RAFT.

      RAFT, or "Reading - A Family Thing," is based on a simple concept: education is for the entire family.  At RAFT, education works better when it is a family affair, something every member of the family can do together. 

      Children in preschool are learning their letters and colors.  Young adults in secondary school take Intensive Math and English.  Their parents learn to speak English, or pass the GED.  In the process, Cypress Creek High School becomes a learning center for the entire community.

       RAFT is a remarkably comprehensive program.  People in all age groups receive the educational services they need most.

       Dr. Linda Shaddix is a counselor in the International Baccalaureate Program at Cypress Creek High and the coordinator of RAFT.  "I totally love this program," she says.  "Many of our families have to overcome significant challenges, and we are flexible enough to accommodate their individual needs," says Shaddix.

Teacher Janice Sherman and Linda Shaddix

       RAFT started four years ago with funding from the Governor's Family Literacy Initiative promoted during the tenure of the former Florida governor Jeb Bush.

       Currently, a total of sixty-two families are receiving educational services.  But the real impact is not measured just in numbers.  It is measured in the real-life stories of people who truly appreciate the new opportunities made possible by RAFT.

       Sylvie Michaud  is a highly motivated Haitian immigrant.  She is currently working as a certified nursing assistant at Florida Hospital in Apopka.  Her goal is to become a registered nurse.  Although Sylvie has mastered basic conversational English, she still lacks the academic English needed for college work. 

      By working double shifts at the hospital, Sylvie is able to attend English as a Second Language (ESOL) classes at RAFT two nights a week.  She also brings along her middle school daughter for academic help with her schoolwork.  Sylvie acknowledges the difficulties of combining work and school, but says, "Nothing will stop me."

Guerby Pierre with his teacher Stacey Shaddix

       Guerby Pierre arrived in this country from Haiti six years ago.  He has an easy smile, and a good command of conversational English.  Last year, he graduated from Cypress Creek High, and passed the math portion of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT).  But, because he still lacked sufficient academic English language skills, he did not pass the reading portion of FCAT.  The result was that he was denied a high school diploma.

      Fortunately, Linda Shaddix offered Guerby a solution: FCAT preparation geared specifically to his needs.  Next month, Guerby will again take the FCAT.  Then, with his diploma finally in hand, he will attend the University of Central Florida.

       Finally, Charlotte Casamajor is another immigrant with high expectations for herself and her children.  "This program has helped my daughters do well in school," she says.  Charlotte is a hospice employee who enrolled in RAFT to earn her GED, while her two children work to improve their school grades.

Students in adult ESOL class

       A recent visit to an adult ESOL class revealed a wide variety of people from around the world coming to RAFT to improve their  English-language skills.  In one class, there was an engineer, an accountant, a surgical assistant, and even a wine taster.  They were typical of many immigrants who come to this country with valuable skills. 

       ESOL instruction is provided by certified teachers from the Adult and Community Education Centers of Orange County Public Schools' Workforce Education department.  The language acquisition classes are themed to explore life skills such as seeking medical attention, and work-related skills such as filling out job applications.

        Classes in parenting skills are also offered by Linda Shaddix.  "We teach parents everything from how to encourage good behavior in their youngest children, to how to deal with the complex issues encountered by teenagers." says Shaddix who relishes the opportunity to do some teaching herself.

        There are several impressions that a visitor to RAFT comes away with.  Perhaps the most striking is that families count.

        The visitor also recognizes that individual needs are carefully assessed, and that individual progress is accurately monitored.  The flexibility built into RAFT's approach makes it all possible.

Secondary students guided by teacher working on assignments

       RAFT is a partnership of many people.  Teachers and staff from different schools and departments in Orange County Public Schools.  Funding sources from different companies and organizations.  And parents who want the promise of a better life for themselves and their children.

 

For more information about RAFT,
call:   Linda Shaddix at  (407) 852-3421