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The
Windsor Public Schools’ School-to-Career System is a
prime example of community and school collaborations for
the benefit of students in grades K-12. The
School-to-Career (StC) system serves students’ needs at
all levels. Students see connections between their course
work and success in life. In grades K-12, students develop
an awareness of careers and the need for life-long
learning. For older students there is an emphasis on
career exploration activities such as classroom career
speakers, career days, business and industry tours, and
career shadowing experiences. In grades 11 and 12,
students may develop and use academic, employability, and
technical skills through internships in a variety of
career areas. These experiences prepare students for the
rigors of post secondary education or on-the-job training
and entry into employment of choice.
Service
organizations such as the Windsor Chamber of Commerce and
the Windsor Rotary Club have provided financial resources
and hundreds of volunteer hours to support StC activities.
The greater Windsor business and industry community has
also provided numerous internship experiences for
students.
One
exemplary activity is the annual Career Shadowing Day for
ninth grade students sponsored by the Windsor Chamber of
Commerce and the Windsor Rotary Club. At a breakfast
sponsored by the Rotary Club, students and their business
and industry hosts meet each other. The students then join
their hosts, mostly Chamber of Commerce members, at a work
site and observe the practices of the contemporary work
place.
Many
community volunteers provide their services to students in
grades K-12 to teach the Junior Achievement curriculum.
Volunteers present this economics education to students
using age-appropriate materials that actively involve
students in exploring how the world of work operates in
our economic system.
Because
Windsor Public Schools is an approved School-to-Career
system, students may qualify to receive a Connecticut
Career Certificate (CCC) presented jointly from the
Connecticut Department of Labor and the Connecticut
Department of Education. Students become eligible for the
CCC by demonstrating high levels of accomplishment in
academic, employability, and technical skills. Every year
since its inception Windsor Public Schools has had student
who achieved this high standard.
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