Cooperative Education provides an opportunity for Grade 11 and Grade 12 students to explore and learn in the work world outside of the school. This requires self-motivation, self-discipline and a clear career focus. Students will go to work instead of coming to classes and as such they will need to self-monitor ensuring that attendance and punctuality reflect the high standards set by the Vaughan S.S. community.
In February when Guidance staff visits classes to assist students with choosing course for the upcoming calendar year, students wishing to pursue Coop indicate that choice on the option selection form. In March, Coop staff will hold information meetings to distribute the application package. The application package consists of the application form, three teacher reference forms and a standards set of interview questions.
Once this package has been completed, students will meet with the Coop staff for an interview. This provides an opportunity for question and answer and for staff to connect individually with each potential coop candidate. After the interview staff will make a decision about the successful applicants and every student will be notified about the results of the process.
The Coop staff considers the input of teachers, the applicants academic and attendance records. Because students are representing Vaughan S.S. in the work world, a solid and regular attendance and a good academic performance are key considerations being assessed when staff makes the final decisions about who will be accepted into the program.
Students may participate in a two or four credits program. During the first three weeks of each semester, students attend classes to prepare for their cooperative education work placements. If students are participating in a two credit program, they would attend after classes for the first three weeks and attend the work placement starting in the fourth week of the semester. The two credits program require students to work three hours every afternoon. Students require a combined total (school and work) of 220 hours for two credits. The four credits programs require students to spend the entire semester in the cooperative education program. During the first three weeks of each semester, students spend four classes per day in the classroom setting after which they attend work for six hours per day. Students must accumulate a combined time (school and work) of 440 hours for 4 credits.
Cooperative education staff works to match students with their career choice. Students work in all types of businesses from an art shop to the zoo. So, before students sign up for coop education at option selection time in February, they are encouraged to have discussions with parents, classroom teachers, and guidance staff about possible career directions and the requirements of each.
The coop staff can be contacted by leaving a message at 905-660-1397, ext.346 or by dropping by the office in the library at Vaughan S.S. |
