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Dear Rondout Families, Friends and Faculty,
We are excited to share the news about “The World of Work Program” created for our 8th graders. Connecting student learning to the real world is a powerful way to support students’ educational experiences. This year, we are piloting a program unique to Rondout which connects the in-school learning experience to the world of work. During the second half of the school year our 8th grade students actively begin their transition to the high school with orientation sessions and course selections. This is a time when students begin to think more deeply about their future and what lies ahead. We want to capitalize on their mindset during these last few months. The “World of Work” Program has been designed to provide time for exploring future career possibilities and for reflection on their past, present and future experiences by creating a written time capsule. In addition, this work will complement their learning activities with Mrs. Kerrigan and in Lifestyle Literacy with Ms. Grossman.
From January through May, the 8th grade students will be taking a series of field trips to workplaces in Chicagoland and Lake County. During these trips they will be learning about various career opportunities, reflecting on their interests and the information gathered during each trip.
The first workplace our 8th grade students visited was Impact Networking and Dot Security both of which are located in Mettawa and just down the road. The students had a memorable and meaningful visit and we appreciate Impact’s willingness to support this new project and help our students learn more about the IT and Cybersecurity World of Work. The students toured the Impact campus and heard from members of the Impact Team including one of the founding partners and had a chance to learn more about the vast range of opportunities within this corporate setting along with the pathways to careers in these related fields.
We are still growing this program and finalizing visits to other workplaces. We have already confirmed a trip in April to the Weigel Broadcasting Company in Chicago whose local stations are the CW, WCIU and national network MeTV. If you have a workplace visit opportunity that you feel might be a match for our program, please feel free to reach out to me.
Next Friday, the seventh grade will engage in a virtual program called “Engineers Teaching Algebra”. This is the second year of the program, and it was exciting, fun and designed to support students at all levels of mathematics across the seventh grade. Engineers in the Classroom brings an engineer into the classroom virtually and students participate in an interactive and engaging design experience. This program has been around since 1994 and has engaged 5000 classrooms, 1800 schools in 38 states. We look forward to this lively, hands-on relevant learning experience.
The K- 5 students will be virtually visiting the Shedd Aquarium Behind the Scenes on February 3rd for a look at the Amazon Rain Forest. Just a reminder that that Friday is a half day for students with professional development for teachers scheduled in the afternoon.
We look forward to seeing many of you at the Family Reading Night Spaghetti Dinner on Thursday January 26th. Sign up/reservations close tonight at midnight. We have had an overwhelming response to our newest Family Reading Night format which will focus on the Power of Family Dinner and Conversation and the impact on learning.
Thank you for your continuing support and engagement. Take care.
Have a great weekend. Take care…Until next time...
Dr. Jenny Wojcik
Superintendent
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