Episode Details

Shelton School District Superintendent Wyeth Jessee joins Jeff Slakey for an end-of-year conversation covering what families in Mason County and need to know about local education heading into summer.

This week: the Class of 2025 earned nearly half a million dollars in scholarships. Third-grade reading scores have doubled in four years. And the district just completed 100 work-experience placements through its Career & Technical Education program.

But Superintendent Jessee also shares what keeps him up at night: seniors who shrug when you ask them about their plan. He talks about what the district, and parents, can do differently, the "warm demander" approach to parenting teenagers, and a simple technique (borrowed from preschool) for getting your kid to actually talk to you in the car.

Also covered: the Shelton Promise scholarship, community college affordability, the new School Links career-planning program (starting in 7th grade), the district's next strategic plan, enrollment trends, and what the Peacock Ridge development could mean for Shelton schools.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:
• Shelton School District: sheltonschools.org
• Shelton Promise Scholarship — ask your school counselor
• School Links Program — career planning starting in 7th grade
• Evergreen State College
• CTE / Work Experience Program — contact Ty Ramos, Shelton School District

Focus on Shelton airs on KMAS Radio 1030 AM / 103.3 FM, serving Mason County and the South Sound. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen.

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