Avon Maitland District School Board

The LDSS Nexus Program (COPE) took a 21st century leap this week with the launch of a specialized Smartphone App specific to its students. The Nexus program partnered with a major Smartphone APP developer, Appsmakerstore.ca, to build this specialized app for Nexus students that works on all major smartphone platforms.

The Nexus Team has been exploring ways of improving connections with the students who take advantage of this program and began thinking that given almost every student was using a smartphone, why not look into creating a special Nexus App that could be accessed by the students in all major platforms, iOS, Android and Blackberry. They discovered Appsmaker Store and Owner Betty Penny and a partnership was born. They held an official launch and a full demonstration of the new Nexus App and how it is already making connections with students.

Betty Penny - CEO appsmakerstore.ca

Betty started one of the first virtual accounting practices in Canada in 1995, and recently launched Appsmakerstore Canada Ltd. an innovative app-making platform for businesses and non-profits. The company has offices in Port Perry and Toronto. She has more than 15 years of experience with advanced technology and cloud systems. She is a licensed captain, student mentor, founder of Durham Home and Small Business Association, participated in the world's first virtual trade mission in 1995, and funds two annual scholarships. Betty is the recipient of numerous awards including the 2009 Phenomenal Woman Award from Benefits for Woman and Business of the year from the Oshawa Chamber of Commerce. She has received recognition from former prime ministers Paul Martin and Kim Campbell. Betty enjoys providing services that help organizations and individuals that will make a difference in the world. Penny is one of the authors of The Greening of Not For Profits Handbook, a case study in which she tells how she helped save the Schizophrenia Society of Canada from closing by turning it into a virtual organization.

What is Nexus?

The Listowel District Secondary School NEXUS program is an alternative education program which helps students discover their potential and build a bright future. Nexus students work towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) in an alternative education environment. Many graduates over the years, and some have pursued post-secondary educational pathways.

NEXUS offers a combination of work experience and in-school academic credit courses.
• Students can work on in-school academic credit courses at their own pace.
• Increased one-on-one contact with teachers
• Interesting group courses with guest speakers and field trips
• Continuous entry points during the school year
• The coop placement could be an existing part-time job; an existing fullt-time job; or a steady (weekly) volunteer position.  Students can continue to be paid while at a coop placement.
• Potential to participate in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP).  OYAP allos a student to train as an apprentice while enrolled in NEXUS.

For further information please contact:

Fred Valdez
Nexus Program Leader
Listowel District Secondary School
Nexus Headquarters
519-291-5869

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