Leander Independent School District

COOL Week COOL Week is a week-long, work-based experience for all 12th graders. Students must apply to participate. Students are matched to work sites by career preference. Students are assigned to work sites in teams of 2-3.

Students will experience: Job application process/resume critique Interview and critique Teamwork and problem solving Job shadowing Formal business presentation Interaction with adults in career field of interest

Goals Students will see how what they are learning in school is used in the work place. Students apply skills, such as teamwork, critical thinking, problem solving, and communication through the week’s activities.

Goals Students will learn how specific occupations are performed and become aware of the aptitudes, education, and training needed to be successful in those occupations. Students will be able to make better informed career decisions based on actual work experience.

Sample Business Projects Software/Technology Fusion Learning Systems Design and implement software for training module. Cadence Design Systems, Inc. Create/update website for Core Comp group.

Sample Business Projects Customer Service Five Star Interiors Installation and development of new show room. Newsstand.com Develop plan to improve training program for new call center customer service representatives.

Sample Business Projects Marketing/Communication Capital Area Training Foundation Assist in planning Career Fair (a major event), including marketing aspects. Leander Police Department Survey/study community needs/programs. Develop implementation plan.

Sample Business Projects Marketing/Communications (cont.) Hill Country News Coverage of COOL Week for special issue. Emmis Radio Group Give input on development of marketing plan to teenage listeners.

Sample Business Projects Education – COOL School Teacher Observations, student interaction/observation, Lesson plan development Lago Vista Elementary Texas School for the Deaf Grisham Middle School

Student Preparation Activities Completion of coursework related to work site experience Preparation of resume’ Interview practice Instruction & practice with basic tools in problem-solving process Instruction in presentation skills Familiarization with site expectations

Benefits to Business Partners Acknowledged community service participation Partnership with schools Involvement in memorable school event Identification of students for future internships/employment Program evaluation

History COOL Week was started in 1995 with 21 students from Leander High School. Since then, hundreds of Leander ISD students have participated in COOL Week activities. Approximately 200 different work sites across Austin and Central Texas, including: Architectural and Engineering Firms Police and Fire Departments State Agencies High Tech Companies Health Care Providers Schools and Departments Media

Interested? Step 1 is to complete the application. Campus Transition Coordinator will provide these to seniors.

To see a 9 minute QuickTime movie of the COOL Week experience created by the students in CPHS Multimedia class, go to the LISD COOL Week website.

Step 2 is to turn in the application to Transition Coordinator by due date. Please note that incomplete applications may not be processed. Applications are time and date-stamped as they are received. If there are more students interested in a particular position than are available, the applications will be processed on a “first come; first served” basis. Then what?

And? Watch for signs and listen for announcements. Your Transition Coordinator will contact you to discuss your COOL Week assignment.

But….. Once you have turned in the application, and find you are NOT able to participate, you must let your campus Transition Coordinator know immediately! The companies have been planning for your arrival. They need to know if you are not coming!

And…. If you come across an employer that you believe would enjoy this experience, let your campus Transition Coordinator know that, too! It doesn’t have to be a company where YOU want to go; someone else will be thrilled by the opportunity of a new contact!

College is an expensive place to find out what you want to be when you grow up. “Try on” a job with COOL Week!

Contacts Leander High School: Sandra MacLachlan or Cedar Park High School: Mitzi Powell or Vista Ridge High School: Jayme Spexarth or