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Career-pathway programs expand: students help build a shed, run a student store and join hands-on career events
Summary
District staff reported a community-build construction project at Kennedy Elementary that engaged students and contractor partners, an eighth-grade career day with more than 20 volunteers and a new student-run store, the Scarlet Den, funded by Future Ready CTE and Educare grants.
Mankato Public School District presented a summer update June 16 on recent career-pathway initiatives that brought students into hands-on construction, industry mentoring and a student-run retail operation.
Under the direction of the district’s director of teaching and learning, staffers Sherry Blasey and Caleb Watson described three recent projects as examples of expanding authentic career experience for students.
The largest item was a “community build” at Kennedy Elementary in which students helped construct a 22-by-34-foot shed on district property. Blasey said the project arose from district advisory conversations and a desire to bring work-based learning into school because Department of Labor rules generally prohibit participation on real job sites for students under 18. The district reported more than 240 volunteer hours and an estimated $40,000 of partner contributions from Webb Construction, Knutsen Construction, BLK Electric and Schmidt Siding and Window. Students participated in tasks including pouring the slab, setting curbs, framing and exterior finishing; the district said excavation was performed by contractors.
The first shed was auctioned at a Minnesota River Builders fundraising event for more than $2,100, Blasey said. School officials described the build as a training and relationship-building opportunity: contractors mentored students on-site and district staff said students asked how to pursue jobs in the trades immediately after the experience.
Staff also summarized an eighth-grade career day at Prairie Winds Middle School that featured more than 20 volunteers and a range of career clusters with hands-on demonstrations and Center of Excellence trailers offering simulations in welding, cabinetry, excavation and health sciences.
Finally, staff described the Scarlet Den, a student-run store modeled on the district’s existing in-school coffee-shop enterprise. The Scarlet Den will sell apparel and novelty items; the program was funded with a Future Ready CTE grant and an Educare grant and will operate through entrepreneurship classes under business teacher Curtis Dole. Equipment arriving this summer includes an embroidery machine, a hat press and a laser engraver; staff said the enterprise will begin with in-house orders and plan to expand to service other schools and district booster activities.
Board members asked about sustainability; staff said a follow-up meeting was planned the next day to discuss making the community-build model sustainable. The board also discussed partnering the Scarlet Den with the Booster Club so the student business does not duplicate existing booster activity.
No formal action was taken; the program updates were presented as information.
The district said the community-build and student-business efforts are part of career-and-technical-education expansion and rely on community partners and grant funding for start-up costs.
