Ballenas Secondary students are getting real-world, grocery-store experience.
The Parksville Thrifty Foods is hosting two separate groups of BSS students this year, expanding on the successful program from last year.
On Tuesday mornings this semester, Life Skills students are learning to ‘face’ shelves and clean displays, while on Thursdays, Grade 9 students in the Compass program are paired with a mentor to learn all about their specific departments, learning all the ins and outs of the produce, bagging and bulk food sections of the store, for example.
“I think that the community involvement piece really helps our students and assists them in making the connections between the skills they learn at school and those that are needed in the real world,” said BSS vice principal Jane Reynolds.
“All the students are really appreciative of the opportunity Thrifty’s is giving them,” she said.
“We would love to see more of these types of partnerships that benefit the employer as well as the school; and, most importantly, the students in our community.”
