nothin New Ed Commissioner Shops Summer Jobs | New Haven Independent

New Ed Commissioner Shops Summer Jobs

Aliyya Swaby Photo

Board of Ed President Carlos Torre with Wentzell.

When new state Education Commissioner Dianna Wentzell dropped by Hillhouse High School, she received an assignment: Find more money for New Haven.

Wentzell made the Citywide Parent Team meeting at Hillhouse one of her first stops as commissioner on a tour of the state’s schools, the day after being confirmed by the State Senate. She listened in as city and district officials gave families tips on how to apply for various internships and volunteer programs in their departments.

City director of youth services Jason Bartlett quipped that offerings depend on the state’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

So, Commissioner, you’ve got work to do,” he said jokingly to Wentzell, garnering laughs from the audience.

Wentzell started her career as a social studies and writing teacher in Farmington public schools. One of the things I really know starting as a teacher is that I learn the most … when I can listen and hear what people’s interests and concerns are,” she told parents and staff just before the discussion.

There is no one place students can look for summer jobs or internships, panel speakers said at Thursday night’s Hillhouse gathering. They listed the programs offered through their individual departments and advised students on how to get chosen for competitive paid positions.

Bartlett said there are some jobs available through Youth Stat, a citywide initiative that connects kids in need with community resources. Students can also apply to learn technical skills and take remedial classes at Eli Whitney Technical High School this summer, he said.

This summer, kids and adults will be able to collaborate on painting murals under three overpasses in Fair Haven. There are a few jobs and many volunteer opportunities associated with the project.

And New Haven students can call 211 during the summer to get free summer meals — a program that has been expanded this year, he said.

Bombero, Bartlett, Dotlo, Osborne

Renee Osborne (pictured above at right), New Haven extended school hours coordinator, said there are limited opportunities to hire students between 14 and 18 years old. But the district can take advantage of its community partners to link students with certain skills and interests with the right organizations, she said.

Rebecca Bombero, New Haven’s parks director said, the department’s opportunities have been published in a booklet online. Students can choose between 10 camps in three two-week sessions starting June 28, two of which are for kids 14 and older.

Four schools — Career High, Clinton Avenue, Martinez and Hillhouse — will be open between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. during the week for students to play sports and board games.

Jill Dotlo, coordinator for Community Action Agency, described the Manage Your Future” program’s focus on details to prepare students for jobs.

Sometimes we spend the whole session just doing handshakes to get a good handshake,” she said. After teaching interview skills, program staff then place students in a job two days a week after school

Parent Lavonne Wise said she found the discussion helpful. She just moved to New Haven from New York with her 15-year-old daughter, now a freshman at Hillhouse High. She went to the meeting because her daughter wanted to find a job for her first summer in New Haven.

Thank God I don’t have to go online” to find the information, Wise said. She planned to call Bartlett the next day.

But another audience member found the panel discussion more confusing. Where do you go to sign up for internships?” a student asked at the end of the presentation.

That information is in a lot of different places, Osborne said. She directed him to New Haven Youth Map, a directory of local programs organizations are offering for kids and families.

Bartlett told the Wilbur Cross student to take his card and give him a call.

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