This page contains answers to common questions students and parents may have about the School-to-
Work Program. If you do not find the answer to your question here, please do not hesitate to
email or call Mrs. Crast.
- Who can participate in the School-to-Work Program?
- Do you have a different class for each school?
- How often do students meet for the STW program?
- How long does the classroom component last?
- What types of things are taught during the classroom component?
- How are the internship rotations set up?
- How are students transported to their internships?
- Are students allowed to drive to their internships?
- What careers can students explore through the STW program?
- Where are the rotations established?
- Are students able to explore more than one career?
- Can students do an internship within their parents place of business?
Who can participate in the School-to-Work Program?
The STW program is open to all juniors and seniors at Sandy Creek
and Pulaski High School.
Do you have a different class for each school?
No. Pulaski students are bussed to Sandy Creek High School for
the classroom component.
How often do students meet for the STW program?
Students are scheduled for a set block of time, every other day,
all year long.
How long does the classroom component last?
The classroom component continues until all modules have been
completed. Typically, it takes about 8-10 weeks to complete them
all.
What types of things are taught during the classroom component?
The classroom component is made up of modules. Module topics
include: career awareness/exploration activities, resumes, cover
letters, job applications, SCAN skills, interviewing, child labor
laws, safety in the workplace, confidentiality laws, identity
theft, cybersecurity, managing credit, understanding paychecks,
financing education and virtual internships. The last six
modules are "filler" modules and contain material that is covered
in the classroom between internship rotations.
How are the internship rotations set up?
There are 3 (time and weather permitting!) internship rotations.
Each rotation lasts approximately 4-6 weeks. Students are
scheduled for rotation based on their homeschool availability and
in place of the time scheduled for STW classroom. Students
return to the classroom for about 2-3 weeks between rotations.
During this time, they complete internship follow-up activities
(thank you letter to supervisor, internship essay, resume
updates) and complete one or more of the "filler" modules
mentioned above.
How are students transported to their internships?
The Sandy Creek and Pulaski school districts provide the
transportation to internships that are scheduled during the
school day. If a student chooses to extend their internship
beyond the school day, they may have to provide their own
transportation. For the most part, it depends on how many
students this involves, how far beyond the school day they are
extending, and where the internships are located.
Are students allowed to drive to their internships?
Yes and no. The Pulaski School District allows their seniors to
drive to their internship site if they choose to and have parent
permission. However, it is currently the policy of the Sandy
Creek School District that Sandy Creek students are not allowed
to drive to their internship site unless the internship is
scheduled for after school hours, school breaks or weekends.
What careers can students explore through the STW program?
There really is no limit on the careers that can be explored
through the STW program. Granted, some are a little hard to
place students in than others, but very few have remained
impossible. That is the unique aspect of this program. It does
not cater to students interested in just the medical fields or
education fields, but rather to all students no matter what their
field of interest
Where are the rotations established?
The majority of the internship sites are established in
Watertown, Syracuse and Oswego. For a complete listing of all
the careers I have placed students in to date, along with the
businesses who have participated, check out the link "Careers and
Businesses" on my homepage.
Are students able to explore more than one career?
Most definitely. Students can explore one career in three
different areas, or three different careers all together. It is
their choice. This is the opportunity for them to "test drive"
the career(s) they are interested in before spending the money
for college only to find out it is not quite what they want to do
with their life.
Can students do an internship within their parents place of business?
No. I have found over the years, that students who participate
in an internship within their 'comfort zone' do not get the full
experience as those who are forced to go out there and meet new
people. Education majors will also not be allowed to intern
within their home school district for this same purpose.