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Extended Learning Opportunities presenter highlights credit-bearing internships; two students describe work-based learning
Summary
At the June 4, 2026 Millinocket School Board meeting, Extended Learning Opportunity coordinator Margaret Stevens outlined the district's credit-bearing ELO program and two students — Elijah Moore and Ghost Carco — described hands-on experiences including a kitchen assistant placement and reviving a student newspaper.
Margaret Stevens, the district's Extended Learning Opportunity coordinator, told the Millinocket School Board on June 4 that the ELO program enables students to earn academic credit through hands-on experiences with local employers and mentors. "This year we had six students that took part in credit bearing ELO experiences," Stevens said, listing paid work experiences, internships and job shadows as program components.
Stevens described partnerships with local agencies and businesses, including a paid placement with the Medway Fire Department and visits to manufacturing and outdoor-industry sites. She said students completed nationally recognized training such as a wilderness first aid certification and that several students used ELOs to decide on next steps after graduation.
"Students can earn credit as they're also exploring careers and doing job shadowing, paid internships, paid work experiences," Stevens said. She told the board the program structure includes bi-weekly check-ins to review goals and that ELOs can serve students headed to college, entering the workforce or those who struggle in traditional classrooms.
Two students who participated in ELOs addressed the board. "I'm the student kitchen assistant down in the cafeteria," said Elijah Moore, a sophomore, describing duties such as prepping food, inventory, cleaning and serving. Moore said the role taught kitchen safety, organization and communication and helped him plan to enroll in a Region 3 culinary program next year.
Senior Ghost Carco described restarting Sterns, Inc., the school newspaper, as an ELO experience. Carco said duties included brainstorming, managing contributors, editing and meeting publication deadlines. "Sterns, Inc. is a studentled newspaper that focuses on sharing school news, community events, and encouraging more students to get interested in writing," they said, adding the role strengthened leadership and time-management skills.
Stevens told the board the district had established several pathways through partnerships with area employers and education centers (examples discussed included tours of Johnson Outdoors and the New England Outdoor Center) and that paid placements were often supported through workforce programs so businesses did not carry the entire cost. She said seven students were already enrolled in credit-bearing placements for the coming year and expected numbers to grow.
The presentation prompted no formal action; the board received the report and moved on to other agenda items.
