Jeff Duguid, a partner with White Kennedy chartered accountants in Osoyoos, invited his daughter Holly Duguid and her friend Rheanna Harfman to visit him at work during the recent Take Our Kids to Work program sponsored by School District 53. Grade 9 students from Osoyoos Secondary School and Southern Okanagan Secondary School in Oliver took part in this year’s program. (Photo supplied)
Most school-aged children in Osoyoos know where their parents work, but many have very little idea what they do and just how good mom and dad are at their job.
Thanks to a program sponsored by School District 53, allowing Grade 9 students to spend a day with mom or dad on the job is a great way to promote a unique learning experience, said Rodd Kitt, career education co-ordinator for School District 53.
On Nov. 4, dozens of Grade 9 students from Osoyoos Secondary School and Southern Okanagan Secondary School in Oliver went to work with a parent, relative or adult friend in the annual Take Our Kids to Work Program.
“The program has been around the province in various forms for about 12 years, but we hadn’t done it with our school district since 2008,” said Kitt. “The whole idea is to give the kids an idea of what the world of work looks like and to gain a greater understanding of what important adults in their lives do on the job and what makes them successful in their chosen careers.”
The program supports career development by helping students connect school, the world of work, and their own futures, said Kitt.
Research suggests that today’s students will have multiple careers over the span of their working years. To be successful, they will need to master both new technologies and complex social and organizational systems, he said.
Learning in school becomes more effective and relevant if students can see where their education might lead them in the future, said Kitt.
Spending a day in the life of a profession or workplace has proven to be a fun and fascinating way to explore the world of work, think about career options, and make informed educational decisions, he said.
“They also learn that, unlike school, you just can’t get up and leave at three in the afternoon,” he said. “We wanted the kids to stay for the entire workday to get a full experience of what it’s like to work at a job where you’re required to be there for the full day.
“Some of the students wanted to leave early, but we tried to encourage them to stay for the full day to get a taste of what the real world of work is like.’
Take Our Kids to Work Day is sponsored by “The Learning Partnership”, a national charitable organization dedicated to support, promote and advance publicly funded education in Canada.
Some of the goals of the program are:
1. To see their parents in different roles and responsibilities and understand what they do to support the family;
2. Develop a closer dialogue with their parents or another caring adult;
3. Enhance their understanding of individual jobs in the context of the diverse working community;
4. Link classroom and workplace experiences;
“Based on the positive feedback we’ve received so far, we will definitely be participating next November as well,” said Kitt.
Students will be asked to complete a couple of classroom assignments related to spending the day with their parents or adult friend at their workplace, said Kitt.
Not every student enjoyed the experience, but the vast majority did, said Kitt.
“Most of the kids I talked to said they really enjoyed it and liked the fact they could get out of the classroom and learn in a different environment,” he said. “Most of the adults were parents and it was a nice way for mom and dad to show their kids exactly what they do and why they do what they do for a living.”
The school district would like to thank the many parents and employers in Oliver and Osoyoos who made this day possible, he said.
Without the support of all adults involved, the students wouldn’t have had the opportunity to participate in this program.
Kitt said it’s exciting to be part of a school district that remains so committed to trying to bring new learning experiences to students.
If you would like more information about how you can participate next year, please contact Rod Kitt, SD 53 Career Education Co-ordinator at [email protected].
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
