Embedded Files
" Learning to Work,
While Working to Learn"
Purpose of Work Based Learning (WBL)
Purpose of Work Based Learning (WBL)
Hackensack High Schools' Work-based learning (WBL) experiences for students with disabilities are supervised, school-coordinated activities which provide opportunities for students to achieve employment related competencies in a workplace environment. These activities extend the classroom into the workplace and are related to students’ career interests and program of study. Work-based learning experiences involve an assessment of the students’ interests, aptitudes, and abilities while learning about career possibilities as well as encourage greater community involvement and their support of local schools and communities. These experiences can also increase the likelihood of employment and community integration for students with disabilities when they become adults, help to teach 21st century workplace readiness skills, and support national and state initiatives such as Employment First and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs. Additionally, local business partners are supported by motivated young workers who are eager to learn and succeed in the workplace. All WBL experiences adhere to applicable state and federal Child Labor Laws and other rules enforced by the NJ Department of Education and Labor. Students may earn course credit.
H.H.S. WORK BASED LEARNING PROGRAMS
H.H.S. WORK BASED LEARNING PROGRAMS
Work-based learning (WBL) programs provide students with the opportunity to gain real-world experience in their field of study while still enrolled in school. Hackensack High School offers three academic programs that implement work-based learning experiences for students:
Work Based Learning (WBL)
Work Based Learning (WBL)
The WBL 12th grade curriculum is a sequence of Adult Daily Living instruction & activities that starts with career awareness and exploration activities, then progresses into a more in-depth immersion experience that includes hands-on learning in a workplace environment. The WBL curriculum provides students access to both specific technical skills and career employability skills. WBL standards are designed to prepare Hackensack Public School District students for a WBL immersion experience during their Senior year of high school. Through a meaningful work experience aligned to the student’s personalized workforce readiness instruction, students deepen interpersonal and professional skills necessary to successfully pursue postsecondary education, training, and career goals.
Life Skills
Life Skills
R.I.S.E. Program
R.I.S.E. Program
The Responsibility, Independence, Success and Exploration (R.I.S.E.) Life Skills Program at Hackensack High School is designed for the 9-12th grade students who have been identified by their Child Study Team and Individualized Education Plan as having a need for a school program that provides students (16 and older) with Work-Based Learning opportunities within the classroom and local community, as well as Adult Daily Living Skills, Career Readiness and Community Based Instruction which will assist them in transitioning into the 18 to 21 Transition Program. Community Based Instruction is a sustained and repeated instruction that takes place in the community rather than in the school setting, and are aligned with real-life situations in order to improve student's learning outcomes. Travel training is integrated into each community lesson and community based lessons are weekly. The R.I.S.E. program helps to build financial literacy and self-advocacy skills, community and daily living development, foster interdependence, independence, student awareness of potential careers, facilitate student exploration of career opportunities and initiate student preparation for careers which also includes job shadowing, workplace tours and internship opportunities.
18 to 21 R.I.S.E. Transition Program
18 to 21 R.I.S.E. Transition Program
The curriculum for Hackensack Public Schools Transition Program is designed for students ages 18 to 21 who have been identified by their Child Study Team and Individualized Education Plan as having a need for an extended school program to assist them to transition into adult life as well as Daily Living Skills and Community Based Instruction. Community Based Instruction is a sustained and repeated instruction that takes place in the community rather than in the school setting. Our curriculum focuses on the following skills: self-advocacy, basic needs of young adults, appropriate job choices, personal responsibility, and life goals. The student’s schedules will include real-life work placement in a community setting and student's are provided supportive employment by staff. They will also have the opportunity to intern in school run businesses. Students will also continue to work on functional reading, writing and math skills taught in the classroom setting in order to reinforce students learning of academic and functional skills.
Each of these programs provides students with valuable skills and experience that improve their readiness for the workforce, making them attractive candidates for future employment. Click each link below to explore each program and discover how they can provide hands-on learning experiences to enhance student career readiness.
WBL Program Links:
WBL Program Links:
HHS Work Based Learning Program
HHS Life Skills R.I.S.E. Program (9th -12 graders)
HHS 18 to 21 Transition Program
Online Forms:
Online Forms:
Individualized Student Training Plan Form
NJ Department of Education Work Based Learning Handbook
NJ State Wage and Hour Laws & Regulations
NJ Child Labor Laws & Regulations
Parent Information:
Parent Information:
NJ Division of Vocational & Rehabilitation Services
NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities
New Jersey Council Of County Vocational–Technical Schools
Look At What We've Done!
Look At What We've Done!
Students from the HHS 18 to 21 R.I.S.E. Transition Program training at the Different Breed gym in Teaneck, NJ as their Adult Daily Living (life skills) and Community Based Instruction experience.
Contact Information
For additional information regarding our Work Based Learning opportunities, please contact:
Michelle Balik
MD/R.I.S.E. Program Work Based Learning (WBL) Coordinator & Instructor
(201) 646-7900
Shanira Robinson
LLD Program Work Based Learning (WBL) Coordinator & Instructor
(201) 646-7900
srobinson4@hackensackschools.org
Corinne Carroll
18 to 21 Program Work Based Learning (WBL) Coordinator & Instructor
(201) 646-7900
cmcarroll@hackensackschools.org
Patrice Harrison
Work Based Learning (WBL) Coordinator & Community Liaison Officer
(201) 646-7900
paharrison@hackensackschools.org
Erika Rusnak
Work Based Learning (WBL) Transition Specialist
(201) 646-7900
Joanne Winters
Special Education Supervisor
(201) 646-8000 ext. 8012
jwinters@hackensackschools.org
Local Job Site Participation:
Local Job Site Participation:
Listed below are some of the local establishments which participate in our Work Based Learning Program. We appreciate all our job sites' participation in the program and are excited to continue to add more local businesses to our program. Thank you for your participation and for supporting our students.
Current Business Partnerships:
7 Eleven
CVS
Trinity Baptist Church of Hackensack
International House of Pancakes
Marshall Department Store, Bergen Center Mall
Urban Air
Chit Chat Diner
Never Left Alone Community Shelter
Community Food Action
Martin Luther King Jr. Senior Center
Costco Wholesale
Greens Do Good
Different Breed
Hackensack High School Media Center
Hackensack Middle School Media Center
Hackensack High School Maintenance Department
Hackensack High School Managerial Office
Giovannis Pizza
Evoli Pizza
Glenpoint at Teaneck
Iconic Coffee
Shoprite of Rochelle Park
Local business owners/managers interested in partnering with our school district please contact our Work Based Learning Community Liaison, Patrice Harrison (paharrison@hackensackschools.org), for more information.
Find Us
Hackensack Public School District
135 1st Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Phone (201) 646-7900
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