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East Rockaway schools host Career Day
Career Day was a smashing success at the East Rockaway elementary schools recently.
Nearly all of the professionals were parents, relatives or family friends of children within the East Rockaway school system who volunteered their time to participate in day’s activities.
Career Day was held at Rhame Avenue Elementary on May 18, and included twelve professionals, including a detective, filmmaker, X ray technician, civil engineer, lawyer and an operations manager for the Jets. On May 26, Centre Avenue Elementary School welcomed thirteen professionals, including a gymnastics coach, a police sergeant, an accountant, an electrician, an occupational therapist and a doctor.
Each professional took the children through a day in their lives, using tools and props such as a balance beam, a blood pressure cuff and an X ray view box to help the children visualize what their career entails.
The students of Peer Group, which consists of fourth, fifth and sixth grade students were a major driving force in the execution and success of Career Day. They researched the careers and created tri-boards to display each individual’s background. The Peer Group was given the opportunity to dress up as the professional they were paired with, using props such as a briefcase, medical coat and stethoscope. They worked under the supervision of Jennie Cummings, a mental health counseling intern within the district’s social work department, and Myriam Spadafora, LCSW, the school social worker.
Career Day was held for the 4th, 5th and 6th grades to inspire and encourage the children to put some thought into what career they might want to pursue in the future, and to expose them to careers they may not normally see. Each student was given a program to help them locate their favorite professional. They were able to visit each professional’s station and ask questions concerning the individual’s career and personal experience. The students dressed as reporters, sporting press passes, microphones and even cameras!
At the end of the day, students were given the chance to provide feedback on what they liked, didn’t like, and learned and what they wish they could have seen to provide ideas for future career related events.
