Students work toward improving life skills
High-schoolers volunteer at local businesses, community centers
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

Kaime Jones volunteers at Subway on Route 130 in North Brunswick as a participant in the township high school's community-based instructional program for students seeking employment after graduation.

NORTH BRUNSWICK - The township high school is in the business of preparing students for the future.

The Transition Program provides an opportunity for students who are interested in exploring their employment options while still in high school, using community-based instruction. Students engage in life skills such as planning a menu, making lunch for work and shopping using comparison pricing.

The main component is visiting area businesses. The students spend about an hour-and-a-half one to two times a week after school at a place of employment. They change assignments about every two months to broaden their experience.

"Situations that come up are addressed as they would be in the real world. Some examples would be how to cooperate with fellow workers, what to do if something seems unfair at work, the need to wear proper clothing or a uniform for work, workplace safety such as wearing gloves for certain jobs, the importance of good attendance and sharing recreational facilities with other people who may be there at the same time as you," transition coordinator Randy Solomon said.

Tiffany Rodriguez volunteers at Pretty Paws Pet Grooming on Route 1, washing and drying dogs.

"When I started to work there, I thought that it was hard but Donna, the owner of Pretty Paws, showed me how to handle the dogs. So the second and third time it [was] a piece of cake," she said.

Sophomore Alfred Baldwin has been volunteering at Papa John's on Route 130 for three months. He said his responsibilities are to pour tomato sauce cans into bowls, label boxes and read the orders on the computer to his manager.

"My favorite part of the job was when I had to put Sprite, Coke, iced tea and Diet Coke in the refrigerator. I like breaking down boxes. It is fun to break down boxes," he said. "Working at Papa John's is a good experience because I get to meet new people and try new things."

Kaime Jones also volunteers at Papa John's and has the same responsibilities.

"I have also learned to work with other people, and this is my favorite part of the job," the junior said.

Other students have gone to Subway and Dee's Flower & Gifts in Lion's Plaza.

Another work experience has been preparing packages of paper candy cups for Cyber Trayd, an Internet business Solomon is familiar with. The students label small cellophane bags, count stacks of the cups, put the proper amount in each bag and use a heat sealer to seal them.

"I think it's important to sample other jobs so you can get the feel of something you can do after high school," sophomore Rebecca Rader said.

Rader has taken part in the community service aspect of the credited course. She enjoys when eighth-graders from LinwoodMiddle School come to visit. She said they plan and prepare breakfast or lunch and then talk about high school life, and give them a tour of the building.

"I feel when the eighth-graders come to the high school next year they will be prepared to become high school students," she said. "We want to help them find their way so they won't be overwhelmed and help them get used to school. … It feels good when you know you can help other people."

Jessica Netzer is part of the Meals on Wheels program. She helps sort the food that is available for the senior citizens.

"Elderly people don't have the ability to go out and go places and make their own food. It's good to help people. I love people," she said.

For other projects, the students help the high school by pulling orders and delivering teacher supplies and stuffing envelopes for school-wide mailings. Some students have assisted in the copy room and do laundry and assemble packets of medical forms for a gym teacher.

They also travel to Judd and Livingston Park Elementary schools to help the custodians and the community child care program.

"I think it is important for students to feel a part of the community … because we're all part of the community and we should give back to the community, and it gives them the opportunity to deal with people they might not meet," Solomon said.

Another life skill they learn is party planning. Jennifer Torres enjoys the monthly birthday celebrations. She said they decide on the type of cake to make, the needed ingredients and the necessary supplies. They then go to a local supermarket and purchase what they need.

"We bake a cake, set the table and sing happy birthday to the student. We also make cards for the person. We clean up after the celebration. We also take pictures to put in our portfolio. We have fun eating and talking at the monthly parties," she said.

In addition, the students have taken job orientation tours at Ashley Furniture, Gola Sneakers, Bagel Boys, Bertucci's, Carolier Lanes and the municipal building. They have also visited the State House in Trenton, the Thomas EdisonMuseum and the Zimmerli Museum.

Solomon is particularly pleased with the program, which she runs with Liz Reilly, because of the skills the students learn that apply to all facets of life.

"I think many people don't know what they want to do when they leave school," she said. "These skills give employability skills that they will need for the rest of their lives."

Solomon is grateful to the business owners, because "students who may not be overly interested in the classroom are doing wonderfully at their job sampling because of the people who work there."

"It is immeasurable, the feeling and the relationships that are being built there," she added.

"They are very enthusiastic when they come back. Very excited. It motivates them to get their class work done because that's their reward, going to the job," Reilly said.

Solomon also thanked the Board of Education, central office, the high school and the transportation department who have assisted with providing transportation to the business locales.

To become a job placement site, contact Solomon at (732) 289 - 3700 ext. 3066 or e-mail RSolomon@mail.nbtschools.org. Solomon visits every business first to make sure the employer-volunteer relationship is safe.