Some students have difficultly grasping how their studies will pay off in their adult life.
North Bergen High School was one of 16 schools recently chosen to be a part of the Personalized Student learning Pilot Program (PSLP). The North Bergen School District received a $30,000 grant for the next two years from the New Jersey Department of Education, with half of it being put toward guiding the incoming freshmen at the high school and the remaining funds being allocated to sixth graders at Horace Mann Elementary School.
The year-long programs have helped students see the correlations between the classroom and the real world, along with providing them with two mentor teachers and help from North Bergen High School Guidance Counselor and PSLP Assistant Director Michele Martoral.
Megan Kennel learned that when she turns 16 she can start taking EMT courses.
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Pilot, producer, doctor, and chef
Speakers included a doctor, chiropractor, commercial airline pilot, music producer, pastry chef, immigration enforcement officer, representatives from the National Guard, police officers, and firefighters.
Ansley Macancela chose finance and baking, where two representatives from the Bank of America spoke to her about their jobs.
“They explained everything,” said Macancela. “How we would start off [and how] you don’t have to go to college.”
Macancela said the PSLP program has helped her and that she liked how the career day offered students numerous choices.
High School Principal Pascual Tennaro said, “This is exposing students at a young age as to why they are doing the academic work, so we can expose them to as many potential careers that are out there, so they can begin thinking about themselves and their abilities.”
Zoning in on students’ needs
Tennaro said that the program will continue even if the district does not receive additional grant money for PSLP, because they believe it will motivate students.
Tennaro said that the additional teachers working with freshmen act like a “catch basin,” making sure no one is lost through the cracks.
“I believe the more teachers that touch a kid, the kid benefits from it,” said Superintendent Robert Dandorph.
Macancela said that many incoming students at the high school go from a class size of 80 to 2,600, which can overwhelm them. She said the goal of PSLP was to give each one a personalized learning experience, rather than feeling like they are just a number.
Freshman Ana Vivar said that Macancela, along with her two mentor teachers, was of great assistance to her this year. She said the program helped her not only consider future careers, but plan how to accomplish them.
“It’s really good because you get two points of view [that] can help you better,” said Vivar.
Job searching
Vivar chose to hear a presentation from the members of the United States National Guard.
“They [explained] how to prepare ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually,” said Vivar. “Even though you have to go through a lot of stuff when you are in the National Guard, it sounded like it would be pretty interesting.”
Commercial Airline Pilot Terry Potter was invited to speak by a friend. He said that students wanted to know where he went to school, which eyesight requirements were necessary to fly, and his salary.
Immigration Enforcement Officer Walter Canales said that students asked him if they would be badly treated in jail. He said he explained that Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) officers have high standards and treat people who are in their custody fairly.
“[Today] gave the kids a different aspect of law enforcement, of what we actually do and how we operate,” said Deportation Officer John Belluardo.
Megan Kennel chose emergency medical services as her career path for the day. She was surprised to learn that at 16 years old she can begin taking E.M.T. courses.
“It’s a good idea to get freshmen to start thinking about getting on the right track,” said Kennel.
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.