WHITNALL HIGH SCHOOL COMMUNITY CONNNECT

CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY WITH COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS STUDENTS

The Whitnall High School COMMUNITY CONNECT Program is an extension of the Whitnall High School COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS class.  The COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS class helps students match their aptitudes and interests with career options that utilize them and meet the financial requirements of students' desired adult lifestyles. Members of COMMUNITY CONNECT are partners to the class, with members representing local businesses, government agencies and institutions of higher learning.  Their goal of Partner members is to advocate for careers within their disciplines, providing first hand insights into the nature of the work within their profession, opportunities for career progression, and growth and earning potential their profession offers.
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THE COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS PROCESS

The COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS class begins with students exploring their passions and interests, envisioning what lifestyle, family and assets they wish to have as adults, and matching them to careers that utilize their skills and will meet their financial requirements. Students then explore post-high school educational requirements for access to their chosen careers along with associated costs and time commitments. Finally, students will identify actions required in the form of high school achievements including classes taken and grades attained necessary to prepare for their desired post-high school education.

PARTNER ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The COMMUNITY CONNECT Program offers Partners many options for participation and requires no financial or long term commitment. Participation options include:

• In-school presentations to students

• Mock interviews of students

• Small group Q&A sessions

• Onsite job shadowing and “Day In The Life” experiences for students

• Internship programs

• Apprenticeship programs

• Mentorships

• Direct employment

Partner participation is not limited to those defined above. We encourage our Partners to suggest alternative meaningful engagements for our students that will deepen the students understanding and appreciation of your industry as well.

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YOUR ROLE AS A COMMUNITY CONNECT PARTNER

Whether you are business leader, government leader or member of an institution of post-high school education, you have a key role in helping Whitnall students learn and explore careers of interest to them. You offer unique, valuable and authentic insights into your industries and roles within your organizations, the direction each is headed, and experience with the daily challenges and rewards within the career. Valuable as well are insights into how careers within your discipline can offer growth potential and evolve with the interests, needs and life circumstances of prospective employees.

COMMUNITY CONNECT PARTNER EVENTS

Throughout the Whitnall school year the COMMUNITY CONNECT Program offers Partners in-person or remote meeting opportunities to prepare for the upcoming year, provide feedback to Program leadership as well as recognition for support of the program.

COMMUNITY CONNECT PARTNER events include:

• Student Graduation Ceremony

• Partner Semester Kick Off Meeting

• Partner Advisory Group Meetings

• Partner Appreciation Evening

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THE WHITNALL HIGH SCHOOL

COMMUNITY CONNECT TEAM

EXECUTIVE SPONSORSHIP

Whitnall District Leadership including Superintendent Dr. Lisa Olson and Principal Charles Tollefsen provide strategic guidance, program oversight and Partner management to ensure Partner and Whitnall District goals are consistently being achieved. 

Program leadership

Whitnall High School College & Career Readiness Instructor Najat Rose designed and manages the daily activities of the COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS class, instructing over 100 students daily, as well as developed and manages all elements of  the COMMUNITY CONNECT Program.

Career & Technical Educators

Whitnall High School Career & Technical Educators (CTE) including building trades, engineering, business education and information technology instructors are critical components to COMMUNITY CONNECT Program.  Their daily instruction provides foundational skills and knowledge to help prepare students for the diverse and real-world opportunities offered within the COMMUNITY CONNECT Program.

WHY PARTNER WITH COMMUNITY CONNECT

positively INfluence students 

COMMUNITY CONNECT Partners have the unique opportunity to provide invaluable real-world experiences and opportunities to students.  Program Partners will be instrumental in creating happier, more successful and more satisfied future employees, business leaders and community leaders.

advocate for your Profession

Key to each of our COMMUNITY CONNECT Partner experiences is the first hand, authentic insights into your profession and industry that you provide.  These insights compliment and augment in-class instruction, but also has the ability to offer a richer and more passionate perspective on your vocation that only first hand experience can provide.  

access to future workforce

The COMMUNITY CONNECT Program is an excellent way to not only shape the knowledge and behaviors of future employees, but also offers Partners access students for current staffing needs.  Part-time employment as well as internships and apprenticeships are a wonderful way to utilize the emerging skills of Whitnall students while also meeting the staffing needs of your organization. 

WHAT OUR PARTNERS HAVE TO SAY

"I am so pleased to participate in the COMMUNITY CONNECT Program.  The program allows me to share my passion and experiences for nursing with students at my former high school.  I didn't know what I wanted to do when graduating from Whitnall and this class would have really helped me pursue nursing with greater confidence. "

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Sue Pettis Katzka Registered Nurse
Froedtert MCW

"It is wonderful to be able to show students at Whitnall how they can both pursue a profitable and esteemed career while also serving their community by working within Village government.  I look forward to sharing my passion for our community and hope it inspires students to consider becoming future community leaders."

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Dan Besson Village President
Hales Corners

"Firefighters and emergency responders are the backbone of our community.  Great team members are difficult to find and retain.  The COMMUNITY CONNECT Program allows me to advocate strongly for my profession while also giving me the chance to recruit Whitnall students interested in our field to augment our team needs."

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Pete jaskulski Fire Chief
Hales Corners

UPCOMING SPEAKERS SERIES EVENTS

ARE YOU READY TO LEARN MORE?

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