Intersessions flex student skills and prepare them for networking opportunities

Students embark on intersession activities every semester before apprenticeships begin, where they are given the opportunity to explore new passions or hone important skill sets with their classmates. This consists of activities ranging from developing ideas for a new phone application to playing math games and mastering proficiency levels in different subjects.

This Spring semester, Joseph George students in San Jose are participating in Readers Workshop, where students read and analyze a book of their choosing. The four options are: Mexican White Boy by Matt de la Pena, The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan, Teen Angst, Naah … by Ned Vizzini, and Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. The team decided to pursue Readers Workshop after looking at data that showed a high need to increase reading proficiency amongst students. 

Joseph George Campus Director, Tyler Shafsky explained, “We wanted to try an initiative that would increase reading comprehension, and Readers Workshop is designed to add those skills to student interaction with text.” Thus far, teachers have reported that the students have showed increased analytical abilities and understanding of the text. 

Students at William Sheppard, Renaissance Academy at Fischer, and Renaissance Academy at Mathson in San Jose are working on passion projects, where they explore a range of topics they are passionate about. For example, at RAF, students are working on visual poetry, reading books, and learning about historical events.

Students in Oakland and Redwood City will be training for an event called 6 Degrees, where they will explore the professional world through the lens of their own skills and interests. Lessons include resume building, career assessments, creating an elevator pitch, and workplace professionalism. Students are encouraged to see their passions as potential careers and to envision the path to reaching them. The class culminates in a career fair style event, where students have the opportunity to speak directly with people working in the fields of interest to them. Volunteers from a wide range of industries are encouraged to attend and create meaningful relationships with the students interested in their field. 

If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up here.