By Mindy Ragan Wood
Staff Writer
Okarche High School has rolled out a new class that will help students find a job and explore career options through work.
Superintendent Rob Friesen said the class focuses on career readiness in the family and consumer sciences area of study.
“The last hour of the day they take this career orientation class that allows them to go to work that last hour of the day,” Friesen said. “It gives them the opportunity to go to work but be part of the class, too.”
Last year the district posted a low score for post-secondary opportunities, which gauges opportunities for college and career readiness. The class is one way to meet that need.
“It lets them get their feet on the ground and get started on that and have some guidance from the school so it (a job) doesn’t become too much of a problem,” Friesen said.
The program is designed to expose students to the variety of careers and available jobs.
With so few businesses in Okarche, the job market can be tough for youngsters looking for work, but Friesen said everyone who wants a job seems to find one.
“Most of our kids have something,” he said. “A lot them go to work with farmers, different agricultural stuff. They work in a number of different areas.”
ENROLLMENT
Friesen said the new year started off with steady enrollment from last year and the new high school principal Lisa Munson seemed to fare well.
“She’s been hooked up with getting kids to the right classes, making sure everyone has all their ducks in a row out there,” she said. “She’s doing a great job.”
