Apprenticeships Let You Earn While You Learn

So, you want to be an electrician, huh? Or an A/C mechanic? Or a carpenter? But you have no experience and no training? No problem. There's a program offered through District Maintenance that may help you achieve your dream. It's called the District Maintenance Apprenticeship Program and it's been in existence since 1975 but not everyone knows about it - until now, that is!

Steve Deery, the District's Apprenticeship Coordinator and a 17-year District employee, oversees 14 different maintenance-related apprenticeship programs and currently has 26 employees participating in them. "The beauty of an apprenticeship program is that you not only get to work with a journeyman for several years, but you also get to attend school two nights a week during the related training period for free," explains Mr. Deery. "This program is ideal for employees who start out as laborers but aspire to a professional career."

In his capacity, Mr. Deery does whatever he can to help apprenticeship applicants get into the program; in many cases, he assists them with remedial education, on-the-job training and even counsels them about the interview process. "One of the main advantages of 'growing our own employees' is that they're familiar with the large-scale equipment we maintain and are sensitive to the safety of our students," adds Mr. Deery. "This program truly offers a wonderful opportunity and is a win-win for all involved." For additional information about the District Maintenance Apprenticeship Program, please refer to the job postings or contact Steve Deery directly at 954-928-0399.

SCHOOL WELCOME PACKET - A GREAT PR TOOL

If you have ever moved into a new neighborhood, you know all the questions you have. "Where's the nearest grocery store?" "When is trash day?" "Who can I call in an emergency?"

Parents of new students in your school have lots of questions too -- probably more questions than any one person can answer. An excellent way to address this problem is to develop a welcome packet. You probably already have a school handbook, as well as forms to be filled-out by parents of new students, but with a few additions, you can create a packet to address many newcomers' questions, and make them feel welcome. A folder imprinted with your school logo could hold all materials, creating an easy to up-date welcome packet.

Listed below are some items that could be included:

• Welcome letter from principal
• Curriculum outline for each grade level
• Calendar for school year
• School hours
• Parent group meetings/volunteer
   opportunities
• Report card and state testing information
• Bus schedules
• School's and District's Web site addresses
• Staff list (names, titles, room numbers,
  phone numbers, e-mail addresses)
• District administrators, titles, phone,
   e-mail addresses
• Info. on the library/media center
• Cafeteria information/costs
• Before/after school child care information
• List of extracurricular opportunities
   for students
• Athletic schedule
• Copy of school newsletter
• Staff biographies - brief, friendly
   ( not just college degrees)
• History of school

Remember that the Community Relations Department is available to assist you. To learn more about how the Department can help you, call 954-765-6274.