[:en]Introducing the Bridges Program to Marin Oaks
Principal Kessa Early had a vision to create a new program for the students at Marin Oaks High School that would connect the classroom environment and the experience of the career world. That vision has become a reality through a generous grant from the Peter E. Haas Jr. Fund of $77,550. The Bridges Program began in the fall of 2016 and has 25 students participating. Its purpose is to build that connection between the classroom and the experience of the career world through a hands-on approach and a combination of college courses, job shadows, and internships, students focus on the practical skills and experiences of choosing and pursuing a career. Graduates of Bridges will have earned college credit, and will be on their way to continuing their college education and attaining their career goals.
The goal of Bridges is to ensure that students are given an opportunity to gain the necessary skills to help them be successful after high school in post-secondary education, discover a career that they can excel in, all while earning college credits.
Francine Cunnie, the Bridges Coordinator funded by the grant, formerly directed the College and Career Center at San Marin High School. Mrs. Cunnie helped build partnerships within the community to make the program successful, including securing a donation for transportation fees from Novato Rotary in order to allow students to take field trips to College of Marin-Indian Valley Campus and to help provide incentives to motivated Bridges students.
Bridges students will use the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® test and tools on the Naviance Family Connection which focus on career research, interest surveys, and skill assessments. There are several requirements that Bridges students must complete before the end of the school year. These requirements include: taking a College of Marin (COM) course, “Career Exploration,” that is taught on the Hill campus twice a week for one quarter, participate in one of the following options – three job shadows, a part-time internship for elective credit, or a full-time paid internship. All students must complete a certification class taught by Marin Employment Connection on the Hill site where they learn “soft skills,” and all students must complete a digital portfolio that will include their graduate profile, which will be presented to community members. During the second semester students will enroll in a college course of their choice in their area of interest. They will be required to attend the course through COM at the Kentfield or Indian Valley Campus. Students are supported by the Bridges Coordinator every step of the way and COM class fees and books are paid for by the grant.
After completion of the Bridges program students are anticipated to be working in a field of their choice earning a decent wage, while working toward earning an AA, BA, or certificate in a vocation/trade.
Ms. Early has been the Principal at Marin Oaks High School for 10 years. In 2012, Marin Oaks was recognized as a Model Continuation School in the state of California as well as being ranked #1 amongst comparable continuation schools statewide in Biology, Science and U.S. History in 2011.
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