Extended Learning Opportunities Program
What is an Extended Learning Opportunity?
Extended learning opportunities are hands-on, for credit courses that allow students to focus on individual aspirations and skills and connect to the community.
What do ELOs look like at CEHS?
Currently, students at Cape Elizabeth High School participate in these main types of ELOs:
An interest project based. These projects may take the form of a career exploration; the creation of a product such as a product such as a rocket, surf board, photography book, book of poetry, musical; the learning/acquisition of a new skill, such as foraging, architecture, etc.; or some combination of these.
An internship. CEHS students have interned or are currently interning with physical therapists, the Sea Dogs, an interior design firm, medical practices, real estate agencies, news organizations, nonprofits, engineering firms, schools, and more.
A group ELO. Last year, students participated in a group ELO that centered around a feasiblity study for a local kelp farm. Currently, Cape Elizabeth students are participating in a group ELO with Maine Law and students from Scarborough, Portland, and South Portland High Schools. Next year, a group of students will be participating in an ELO based on the work of the Can We? Project, in which students will explore how to improve our civil discourse as a school community.Students who have any idea for a group ELO should reach out to Ms. Tarantino.
Community events, mentorships, and job shadows. For students who are not able to fit a full period ELO into their schedule, there are many opportunities to extend their learning. See below for upcoming events and opportunities available to any interested student. Ms. Tarantino is happy to meet with anyone and try to help facilitate an ELO experience.
Upcoming and Recent Events and Opportunities:
-Waynflete is holding the 8th Youth Identity Summit.
The Summit is free of charge including lunch and open to high school students and educators who are attending as chaperones or group leaders.
-On April 3, more than twenty CEHS students attendend South Portland High School's Career Fair. Over 70 businesses and organizations provided information about local jobs, occupations, and careers. Prior to attending, students selected businesses to visit that matched their interests and also reviewed professional skills required when interacting with a future employer. Students enjoyed the Fair and would attend again if they had the opportunity! This Pathways effort provides students with career connected educational opportunities that support future ambitions.
-Can We? Project participants had their final retreat in March. Students learned about the legislative process and debated actual bills before the Maine legislature, finding compromise on some very challenging topics. Some of these students are now working on creating a group ELO class for next year based on their experiences in the Can We? Project.
Statewide ELO Efforts
ELO programs are constantly expanding throughout the state of Maine. The map below shows schools that currently have an ELO Coordinator as of the fall of 2023.
Contact
If you have questions about our program at the high school, are interested in participating in an ELO, or would like to reach out to serve as an intern host or resource for any of our students, please contact CEHS ELO Coordinator Lauren Tarantino: ltarantino@capeelizabethschools.org.
If you have questions about how we are working to expand students' learning experiences across the entire district and how ELOs relate to our overall strategic plan, contact Student Pathways Coordinator Sarah Plummer: splummer@capeelizabethschools.org.
