Grade 9 students get to work

By Christine Foshaug Times Contributor

A lot of Strathmore students will be skipping school on Wednesday, Nov. 6, but for a good reason. It’s Take our Kids to Work Day, so Grade 9 students will be going to work instead of school.
Take our Kids to Work Day is an annual event that gives Grade 9 students across Canada the opportunity to get a taste of what their futures might hold. They spend the day at the workplace of a parent, relative, friend or volunteer host, learning what the work world is like.
The initiative, which was launched in 1994 by The Learning Partnership, sees close to 200,000 participate in the most recognized career education event in Canada.
Crowther Memorial Junior High School (CMJHS) has been taking part in the program since it began 25 years ago.
“The program gives students real-life experience that results in an appreciation and understanding of the employment situation,” said CMJHS teacher Donna Lewis.
CMJHS students are evaluated in a few ways. First, they have to sign a student contract and complete some forms, which have a deadline. Then, the workplace host evaluates them, which is followed by the student composing a thank you letter. The final portion requires students to put together a presentation that incorporates what they did and learned at their workplace.
“This program really teaches students to be respectful and to work well with others,” added Lewis. “They learn time management, responsibility, accountability, how to take instruction, and the value of collaboration and teamwork. These are valuable life skills and everyone appreciates that.”
George Freeman School will be participating in the program for the first time, and associate principal Jill McDonald says her students are excited.
“They think that going to work sounds much more interesting than being at school for the day,” she said. “Doing something different and new is appealing. Some of them are going to workplaces that really interest them and they are excited to learn and experience more.”
McDonald wants the students to come away from the event with an appreciation for the world of work, an interest in exploring their career options in greater depth and the opportunity to get to know a bit more about their parents’ lives.
“Take our Kids to Work Day provides a great opportunity to get students to begin thinking about their future, learn what workplaces are like and to network with people in the world of work,” she explained.
So far, student workplaces this year include agriculture and oil-related businesses, an insurance company, a restaurant, a feedlot and a construction site.
Both schools have a number of international students that are participating this year. Telus has stepped up and volunteered to take the international students at CMJHS to their office and make a day of it. McDonald is looking for community members who are interested in having a student work with them for the day. She can be contacted at 403-361-2202.