GALT, CA (MPG) - The Sacramento County Office of Education and the Galt Joint Union High School District recognized local students Wednesday, April 29, during a ceremony at the Nottoli Dome at Galt High School, celebrating high schoolers who completed work-based learning programs designed to prepare them for the “real world” after graduation.

The event honored students receiving the School to World award, which recognizes their effort and achievement through school-year work experience opportunities connected to the Sacramento County Office of Education’s WorkAbility I and Transition Partnership Programs.

Through those programs, students receiving special education services participate in pre-employment training, job placement and follow-up support. The goal is to help students successfully transition from school to work, independent living or post-secondary education and training.

 

A student shakes hands with Sacramento County Office of Education job developer Kelly Kuhl during the School to World Awards ceremony at Galt High School on April 29. 

The ceremony drew parents, local business owners, teachers and community members, highlighting both student achievement and the community partnerships that made the work experiences possible.

“Throughout this past year, you’ve filled out applications, completed resumes, done mock interviews and attended college tours and career centers,” Sacramento County Office of Education vocational specialist Shawn O’Briant said. “Many of you survived your first interview and completed a paid work experience with one our many local businesses.”

“This invaluable experience will give you the tools you need to build a bright future for yourselves,” he added.

Students participated in work experiences with a range of local employers, including L’Chayim of Galt, The Coffee Shop Bakery, The Color Wheel, ACE Hardware, CVS Pharmacy, Galt Public Library, Plush Puppy Dog Grooming, Denny’s, Galt Rock, Movement for Life Physical Therapy and Grizzly Hollow Head Start in partnership with the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency (SETA).

Gale Webber of L’Chayim of Galt gives a student, who worked at her organization as part of their school-work experience, flowers before the student recieved her certificate of achievement April 29 during the School to World Awards. 

During the ceremony, students were called to the podium alongside representatives from their respective job sites to receive certificates recognizing their completion of the program.

Galt Joint Union High School District Director of Special Education Erica Winn and Galt High School Principal Kellie Beck were among those in attendance, along with staff from the Sacramento County Office of Education.

Following the ceremony, Transition Partnership Program Coordinator Georgina Cantero said the initiative has been operating for about 15 years and focuses on helping students gain real-world job experience while building their foundational workplace skills.

She said staff support students throughout the process by helping with resumes, cover letters and mock interviews and by accompanying them to job sites to ensure they are prepared for workplace expectations.

Cantero also said the program partners with the Department of Rehabilitation to provide paid work opportunities for students. She added that students receive checks to help them learn how to open and manage a bank account.

 

Pictured from left are students Maria Ramirez Vargas, Guadalupe Llamas-Gomez and Carlos Garcia Navarette, who completed work experience at the Galt Public Library, holding their certificates of achievement.

She noted that partnerships with local businesses have been well received.

“They like how much the students behave, and how they really do the job, so sometimes they hire them,” Cantero said. “That’s the best thing, when they get the work opportunity offer to do that job.”

Cantero added that one of the most noticeable outcomes is student growth in confidence.

She said many students begin the program nervous about interviews but, with practice and support, gain the confidence to approach job interviews without fear and build skills that carry into future employment opportunities.

“You see that they grow,” she added. “That they start learning from work experience.”

 

Gale Webber of L’Chayim of Galt gives a student, who worked at her organization as part of their school-work experience, flowers before the student recieved her certificate of achievement April 29 during the School to World Awards.