June 3, 2016
Contact: Jill Moberley, Public Information Officer
jmoberle@dps.k12.oh.us
For Immediate Release

SAS training makes students career ready

WHO: Thirty rising high school juniors and seniors
            SAS certified instructors, Sruthi Prabu and Jacob Kaplan
            Raymond Caruthers, Ponitz CTC principal
            
WHAT:  A four-week summer program will prepare 30 math and engineering students for SAS (statistical analysis software) certification, a skill in high demand by high-tech employers that can result in earnings from $70,000 to $110,000 at entry level. The class, made possible with a gift of $20,000 from the SAS Institute, was arranged by former DPS employee Raymond Redd with help from friends and business contacts. The course and certification exam (taken at Sinclair) are offered at no cost to the students.
 
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday
              June 6 through 24, 2016

WHERE: David H. Ponitz Career Technology High School
                  741 Washington Street

INFO: The idea to bring the program to Dayton Public Schools students is a dream of former DPS employee Raymond Redd, made possible through his former college teammate John Kaplan and businessman Cyril Prabu, founder of Proverbs 226. Redd, diagnosed with stage four cancer last year, wanted to bring a program to students that could help jumpstart their entry into well-paying and rewarding careers and, in turn, a better quality of life. This would be his legacy.

The trainers for the course are SAS certified instructors, Sruthi Prabu and Jacob Kaplan from Charlotte, North Carolina, who will live in Dayton while teaching at Ponitz CTC. The $180 exam fee also is covered (50 percent by DPS).

Ponitz CTC is looking at what is needed to continue the program to make the school a future SAS testing site.

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