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Students say summer work-based learning taught teamwork, food-service operations and IT basics
Summary
Two Dinwiddie County students and the workforce development manager reported that 31 students completed an eight-week summer work-based learning program, gaining hands-on experience in school nutrition and technology.
Yanneth Nicholas, the workforce development manager working with the Dinwiddie County summer work-based learning program, told the Dinwiddie County School Board that 31 students participated in the program this year and all completed the full eight weeks.
"This year, we had Dinwiddie Elementary to participate. We had the school board office. We had nutrition department, high school, and the middle school. We had 31 students that participate in the program, and all 31 completed it," Nicholas said during the presentation.
Two students who completed the program described their placements and what they learned. Lauren Williams, a rising 10th-grader at Dinwiddie High School, was placed with Dinwiddie County Public Schools' nutrition department. She described tasks ranging from shopping and food preparation to organizing a kindergarten countdown and handing out food bags to families in need.
"Working with the nutrition department at my school taught me the importance of balancing health, efficiency, and community needs when it comes to providing meals," Williams said. She also reported that the nutrition department "ended up serving 37,011 meals over this summer." Williams credited supervisor Mary Ann Elder and teacher Kimberly Roselle as references for her work.
Kimaria (Kimara) Rainey, a rising junior at Dinwiddie High School, described her placement with the district technology department where she worked as an IT technician to ensure computers were ready for the school year. "My job was to make sure computers were in the working condition and were ready for use," Rainey said. She noted attending onboarding meetings to help new employees with accounts and badges.
Why it matters School-based work experiences introduce students to public-sector jobs and build skills that can support postsecondary education and employment. School staff said the program includes optional four- or eight-week placements; all 31 participants chose the full eight-week option this year.
Next steps Board members thanked the student presenters and indicated the district would continue the program and call on participants for information as the new school year begins.
