- April 18, 2024
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by: Cindi Lane, APR
Community Information Specialist, Volusia County Schools
AdventHealth has been named Volusia County Schools’ Business Partner of the Year for major partnerships, and Lighthouse Christ Presbyterian Church has been named the school district’s school-based Business Partner of the Year.
Each year, schools and departments nominate their most outstanding business partners for the district’s Volusia Partner of the Year. A district selection committee selects the businesses or organizations to receive this distinction.
“These partnerships were selected for their outstanding commitment to bringing positive change and implementing bold, innovative approaches to improve the academic performance of students,” said VCS Superintendent Dr. Scott Fritz.
AdventHealth is the "Official Healthcare Champion of Volusia County Schools," supporting the district’s health care academies and programs through a five-year, $2 million partnership agreement. AdventHealth provides targeted services in three main areas: 1) chronic absenteeism; 2) student-athlete care; and 3) career development within the health care industry.
AdventHealth provides E-Care/telemedicine services, with full parent consent and collaboration, and educational materials used by school nurses. Initially, 36 schools with the highest rates of absenteeism were targeted, but this school year, all students were provided access due to the pandemic. VCS also has access to the AdventHealth Concussion Program, including testing services and training. In addition, AdventHealth provides free sports physicals for student-athletes, a dedicated certified athletic trainer to work with school trainers, and training for coaches and athletic trainers. Last fall, the partnership supplied all 10 Volusia high schools with three additional Automated External Defibrilators in preparation for the new Zackary Martin Act. AdventHealth will fund cardiac screenings for student-athletes starting this June.
For students pursuing a career in health care, AdventHealth offers student internship programs, provides guest speakers, and hosts job fairs to recruit high school graduates. AdventHealth also provides hospital tours for students and health care professionals to speak at school events.
Deltona High School rolled out the red carpet at the award announcement Thursday, April 29. Led by JROTC cadets, and welcomed by cheerleaders and the drum line, David Ottati, AdventHealth President and CEO of the Central Florida Division North Region, along with School Board Member Ruben Colon and Fritz visited students in the Health Services Academy to get an up-close look at the partnership in action.
“Volusia County Schools’ partnership with AdventHealth is robust and has provided substantial educational opportunities for our students,” Fritz said. “We genuinely appreciate AdventHealth for its support and commitment to our students and families.”
Pastor Jean Meredith and her congregation are actively involved in Holly Hill School. Members of Lighthouse Church joined the School Advisory Council, participated in developing the school's mission, and support the goals and activities of the school. At the beginning of this school year, Lighthouse purchased school spirit face masks for all faculty, staff, and students. The masks were a great way to renew school spirit with such an unusual start to the school year.
Lighthouse also donated two new water bottle filling stations to Holly Hill School, ensuring students could stay hydrated safely. In addition, the church provides financial support for academic family nights, holiday assistance, and school incentives. Currently, Lighthouse is supporting a school-wide multiplication challenge program by donating student incentives and funding outdoor social parties for all who master their multiplication facts.
Finally, Lighthouse is a sponsor of the school’s Teacher of the Quarter. It presents each Teacher of the Quarter with a $50 dinner gift card.
“Lighthouse is more than a business partner – it’s part of the Holly Hill family,” said Holly Hill Principal Jason Watson.
