Community Service and Job Shadowing

The Leading Edge students' learning is enriched by real-life involvement with the immediate community and environment. Students spend time throughout the year doing community service such as tree planting, levee clean-up, or assisting in other site restoration. Our 8th grade students go to work throughout the year! They are assigned a supervisor and perform a "real-life" job for a day. This program is being expanded to include on College exploration.

Job shadowing is an activity designed to give students a preview of the workplace to answer: "Why do I have to learn this?" The Leading Edge students will prepare resumes, introduction letters and practice interviewing skills in preparation for the Leading Edge Job Fair. At the Job Fair, students will apply and interview for jobs on the spot until they are hired. On Job Shadow Day, students "shadow" their mentor through a normal day of the job. Upon returning to school, students reflect on their experience, update their resume and cover letter, and follow-up with a thank-you card. The steps that prepare students for job shadowing align with the requirements of the 8th grade portfolio, making this experience come full-circle.