School-to-Work Vision Statement
The vision of the Circle School-to-Work program is to introduce students to the world of work by allowing them to experience the operation of real businesses as well as emphasizing work ethics and job skills.
History of CHS School-to-Work Program
In 1998, we decided that we needed to give CHS students the opportunity to take ownership in the school. We wrote two grants - one was a full-inclusion special education grant and the other was a School-to-Work grant. These two grants gave us money to purchase materials to start the first semester Careers class in 1998-1999 and to start the Entrepreneurship class in 1999-2000. Our goal for the School-to-Work program was to develop school-based businesses that would not compete with other businesses in town and to be self-sustaining.
Over the last ten years, our program has expanded into several businesses including: Cat Shack, CHS Design, CHS Video, CHS Plasma Cam and the Circle Community Radio Station (CCRS). Many students have come and gone through the School-to-Work program, and they have gained many real-world work skills. The program is popular among students, and many times there is a waiting list to enroll.
History of CHS School-to-Work Program
In 1998, we decided that we needed to give CHS students the opportunity to take ownership in the school. We wrote two grants - one was a full-inclusion special education grant and the other was a School-to-Work grant. These two grants gave us money to purchase materials to start the first semester Careers class in 1998-1999 and to start the Entrepreneurship class in 1999-2000. Our goal for the School-to-Work program was to develop school-based businesses that would not compete with other businesses in town and to be self-sustaining.
Over the last ten years, our program has expanded into several businesses including: Cat Shack, CHS Design, CHS Video, CHS Plasma Cam and the Circle Community Radio Station (CCRS). Many students have come and gone through the School-to-Work program, and they have gained many real-world work skills. The program is popular among students, and many times there is a waiting list to enroll.
The Ups & Downs
The Entrepreneurship class is operated during one class during the school day. Students work very diligently during those 53 minutes and many spend time after school and during free time to complete projects. Every semester, over half of the students enrolled in class are new to the program. The class is not like a business with the same employees year after year - instead the class is constantly changing.
As each new semester gears up - new students must learn the process of the class, new software and new job requirements. Returning students ease the transition and are role models, mentors and leaders to these new students. We rely on these mentor students to help keep the program running smoothly during the semester change.
We have been fortunate to have some students return each year. These returning students feel they have ownership in the program and many of them spend extra hours working on projects. It is difficult to see these students graduate; but is seems that younger students step up to take their place and carry on the program. We have had many students comment that this class has given them the background to be successful in other jobs.
As each new semester gears up - new students must learn the process of the class, new software and new job requirements. Returning students ease the transition and are role models, mentors and leaders to these new students. We rely on these mentor students to help keep the program running smoothly during the semester change.
We have been fortunate to have some students return each year. These returning students feel they have ownership in the program and many of them spend extra hours working on projects. It is difficult to see these students graduate; but is seems that younger students step up to take their place and carry on the program. We have had many students comment that this class has given them the background to be successful in other jobs.