WHAT IS IT? Tremont's Pride is a service-learning experience for students in grades K-5 which began in 1976. It is also an opportunity for the Tremont staff members to hire students to work for them in a variety of ways which can include.....

Classroom Jobs- such as messenger, line leader, paper passer, lunch box helper.

Housekeeping Jobs-when needed around school or classroom.

Clerical Jobs- such as sorting, stapling, filing, grading papers.

Working Directly With Students-giving spelling tests, reading to younger students, or listening to others students read, playing games which reinforce skills, mentoring, participating, as a student leader for the school.

Working In Special Areas- such as library, computer lab, cafeteria, gym, art or music rooms, patrol, counselor's office, and school office.

HOW IT WORKS.

Staff members post available job opening on the Tremont's Pride bulletin board outside the office. Students read the board and if interested submit an application for the position. Staff members hire the most qualified person (s). One may use interviews in the selection progress.

Students applicants should submit their application to their classroom teacher who approves or disapproves a student's working a particular job. Generally, classroom teachers want student workers to avoid working during regular classroom instruction time. Therefore, most jobs involving students' working directly with other students in academic areas are performed during the school day. All other jobs generally take place before or after school or during lunch or recess times.

Job Accountability is managed by the students keeping track of their own time they work for each staff member. The Tremont's Pride time sheets are kept in the employer's room. Teachers set up a special folder or posting place in the room so the employees know where to go when they work to record their minutes worked. Twice a year the teacher totals time worked and points earned. Students earn five points for every fifteen minutes worked.

Students are Formally Recognized twice a year for their contributes to Tremont's Pride. Mini trophies, medals, ribbons, pencils and certificates have been used as awards to participants, with trophies being the highest category or points eared. Students in grades four and five must earn approximately twice as many points as students in first through third grades. Occasionally kindergarten students earn certificates for helping at the pumpkin sale, Super Supper, or Pride Fair.

Processing is the bringing together workers with adult facilitators to talk about their jobs, likes and dislikes about their work, suggestions for improvement of job, skills needed and skills learned from jobs, and what career might interest them at the present time. Staff members, volunteer parents, and business partners have served as facilitators.

Processing groups usually have ten to twelve students. Each group has a mix of students from all grade levels. Since the majority of the student body participates in Tremont Pride, all attend processing. Thirty minutes is allotted for this activity. Facilitators briefly record ideas shared within the group. The recording sheets are collected and reviewed by the Career Education Building Team for new ideas to be considered in the program.

HOW STUDENTS FEEL -

They prefer working with another student at a job rather then alone. They also like the person who hired them to be present when they work.

Students want teachers/staff to post MORE JOBS!

First and second graders want opportunities to work for someone other than their classroom teachers.

Students want teachers to be fair in their hiring practices.

Students like the employer to keep the time sheets easily assessable and in the same location so they can complete them when they finish their work each time they work.

Students prefer a variety of jobs; some long-term, some short-term.