Suspended Students Stay Productive at ATOSS

The Jacksonville Journey Initiative has resulted in a unique partnership between The Bridge of Northeast Florida, Inc. and the Duval County Schools.  The program, named ATOSS (Alternative to Out of School Suspension), opened its doors in April, 2009, at The Weaver Zone on the main Bridge campus.  The Bridge is one of five sites offering this citywide program.

ATOSS is operated by a combination of staff from both Duval County Schools and The Bridge of Northeast Florida, Inc.  The facility can hold up to 30 students a day who are not allowed to come back to school.

ATOSS operates from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a full day of academics and other activities desighed to build assets in youth which will enable them to improve school achievement and become successful members of our community.

This program accommdates 30 individual learning stations with Compass Learning Odyssey Software.  Compass Learning Odyssey is the software program utilized by the schools for grade recovery and academic remediation.  Being linked to the Duval County Schools through this computer system allows suspended students at The Bridge to keep up with their academics despite their suspension.  Having this software system in The Weaver Zone represents an opportunity to expand our services to improve academic achievement and success not only for ATOSS students, but for all Bridge youth.

Angela Johnson, The Bridge's ATOSS Program Manager, has a master degree in Social Work and a career background in programs directed towards assessment and counseling for at risk teens.  Johnson has experience working with Bridge students in the Tipping the Scale Adolescent Mentoring and Job Skills program at Baptist Health.  Long-time Bridge staff member Chris Brooks facilitates classes in anger managements as part of the program activities.