Belleville East HS
Jobs for Illinois Graduates (JILG) is extremely proud to feature Belleville District 201 High Schools which are comprised of Belleville East and Belleville West. Belleville District No. 201 consists of two campuses which have a rich tradition of providing educational excellence to its students. Graduates from District 201 are highly prepared to enter the workforce and/or continue their educational pursuits. District 201 students will find a full range of curricular offerings along with more than 80 co-curricular groups. In 2004, District 201 was selected to receive the “What Parents Want” award given by School Match, a nationwide service that helps corporate employees and their families find schools that match the needs of their children. Only 14% of the nation’s 15,576 public school districts earn this designation annually.
The Belleville East campus is located on 76 acres of majestic wooded land, at the corner of West Boulevard and Carlyle Avenue. This beautiful college-like campus contains 19 instructional buildings, a football/soccer stadium encircled by an 8 lane all weather track and additional athletic facilities to accommodate cross country, baseball, softball and tennis. The educational facilities include a new state of the art performing arts center, computer labs and a variety of classrooms designed to meet the educational curriculum of the district. Enrollment for Belleville East is over 2,600 students. Students Live in Belleville, Fairview Heights, Shiloh, and Swansea, Illinois.
Belleville East’s motto is “Let a Lancer Lead the Way” and the JILG program at East is leading the way! Belleville East served 40 senior students during the 2006-07 school year, and is currently providing follow-up services to them. All of these students are currently employed in meaningful jobs and/or are continuing their education. Under the leadership of Patty Watkins, Career Specialist, Belleville East again has a full class of students (41) seeking her guidance for the 2007-08 school year. Mrs. Watkins and her students design a plan of work that places emphasis on Leadership Development, Career Preparation, Citizenship, and Social Awareness. The JILG Program at Belleville East is made up of a diverse group of students all eager to start a solid career path after graduating from high school. Students attend either the early bird class at 7:30 a.m. or the 1st hour class which is at 8:30 a.m. In addition to JILG, students are involved in numerous other activities which include sports, (soccer, football, and basketball), choir, Mashariki, Office Occupations and DECA. The JILG students participate in service learning projects, teambuilding activities, and school projects.
Some recent field trips included attending the Cardinal Career Day at Busch Stadium and touring Scott AF Base. A favorite activity of JILG students is to have a local florist speak to the class to discuss business ownership, and then show them how to arrange flowers. The students then take their arrangements to a local nursing home for part of their “Adopt of Patient” service learning project and/or give their arrangement to the Administration and Staff at East. Mrs. Watkins and her students work hard to make a difference in the community through the JILG Career Association.
About the Specialist
JILG Specialist Patty Watkins
Patty Watkins is in her 7th year as a Career Specialist for the Jobs for Illinois Graduates program. She attended Kansas University and Eastern Illinois University where she received her B.S. and M.S. in Business Education. She lives in Swansea, Illinois with her husband Patrick and their three children, Christine, Chad, and Eric.
Favorite Aspect of JILG
“My favorite aspect of JILG is being able to use creativity in teaching lessons where students can learn skills that prepare them for a bright future.”
Favorite JILG Moment
“My Favorite JILG Moments have come from former students who come back to visit and discuss how much the JILG class has taught them, and how it has made a difference in their lives.”
