They work in a handful of businesses in the area, such as Meijer. Others travel down to Auburn Hills to work at the Palace.
They’re high school students, yes, but they’re not working in these areas to earn extra money. In fact, generally they work for free, the purpose being to gain work experience.
That might seem strange to most, but these are no ordinary Oxford High School students. They’re special education students in the Work-Based Learning Program.
Instead of earning income for these jobs, the students are learning other things that will help them to earn a paying job in the future: self-sufficiency, responsibility, self-confidence.
WBLP has about 20 students in it (a number expected to increase), and their special needs vary from ADHD, autism and other learning disabilities along with physical and emotional impairments.
‘We run the entire range of disabilities,? said Laurie Lavins, an OHS special education teacher who serves as Work Based Learning Coordinator. ‘You name them, we have them.?
The work program is divided into two sections.
One, an O-Tech (Oakland Technical Campus) section where students can get work experience in various industries: business management, culinary arts, cosmetology and construction. This is a program for 11th and 12th-grade students where there’s potential to acquire a certificate.
Two, another section where students work jobs within the community. This is designed for students with more impairments or who haven’t had a great high school experience and need more technical training rather than academic.
‘Currently, we have several (students) at the Palace of Auburn Hills, a couple who work in construction. I am seeking other opportunities for other students within the community,? Lavins said.
While she’s found area businesses that have been very open about allowing WBLP students to get experience by performing jobs at their business, Lavins is hoping to expand the program. ‘My area of focus in trying to find places for the kids in the community to have work experience,? she said.
Lavins, who recently transferred to OHS’s special education program after having worked at Daniel Axford Elementary School’s program, said finding jobs for the students means evaluating them and assessing their strengths.
‘It’s a matter of thinking outside the box,? she said. ‘I have kids quite capable that maybe aren’t great students, but who like to stay busy with their hands and who could be very successful in (the) work place. They don’t need supervision, perhaps, they just need a job. Then I have kids at opposite extremes who need more supervision.?
For students like these, there’s a paraprofessional who serves as a job coach and helps them be successful.
While Lavins has heard many positive things about students who work at Meijer and the Palace, she’s looking for other businesses in the community that would be willing to participate in the program and give the students a chance to get work experience and even possibly find their niche.
‘We have one boy who is very interested in cars,? she explained. ‘He may struggle in school, but put a car in front of him and he lights up. I think there’s a business somewhere out there that could use automotive help.?
No matter the job that needs to be done, whether it’s mopping floors, cleaning bathrooms, working grounds or setting tables, Lavins hopes area businesses will participate in the program.
‘These aren’t bad kids, just good kids who deserve a chance,? she said. ‘There’s a place for everybody.?
She added: ‘We also need placements for students who might be freshmen or sophomores, or really any age high school students, that need to have those first job experiences or even a place to practice skills they have worked on at school. Later, these students might go on to O-Tech or pursue another avenue for work.?
For the next generation, Lavins feels having special education students in general education classes helps to eliminate labels, allows for greater diversity, empathy and comfort levels and helps other students see themselves as fitting in.
When those students become older and possibly business persons or managers, they’ll remember what those kids were like and might be more susceptible to giving special-needs students jobs at their business.
By working in the community and interacting with people, the students can transition towards self-sufficiency.
For more information about OHS’s Work-Based Learning Program, call Laurie Lavins at 248-969-5163 or e-mail her at lavinl01@oxford.k12.mi.us.