This summer, students participating in the Balboa City School internship program experienced a huge sense of success and accomplishment. What sets this year's internship program apart from previous years is that all students, freshman through seniors, were allowed to participate. Additionally, there were a greater number and variety of internships offered. On-site internships included tutoring, teaching assistant positions, grounds maintenance, gardening, and carpentry. Students interning off campus worked for various museums and departments in Balboa Park including the Museum of Man, Reuben H. Fleet Museum, and the Parks and Recreation Department.
Students tutoring and working as teaching assistants gained a better understanding of the time and energy that goes into organizing and implementing an instructional program that results in students achieving academic success. Students interning in teaching positions reported having a greater appreciation of how important it is to modify teaching methods to meet the needs of students with varying learning styles and special needs. These students also received additional practice in learning how to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
The school maintenance crew can take credit for many of the improvements people will notice this fall. These students had the opportunity to learn from a master gardener how to plant and grow flowers, as well as start a xeriscaping project along 6th Avenue. Starting in the fall, students in biology courses will pick up where they left off, learning about different species of plants, as well as the medicinal purposes of various plants. Another improvement is a much cleaner, functional, and organized campus. During summer school, the maintenance crew cleaned and fixed desks, wiped down computers, vacuumed, dusted and organized the bookshelves, swept up leaves, picked up trash around campus, and made various repairs.
People are bound to notice other improvements on campus as well: the new wooden tables built by our carpentry interns. These students, under the supervision of Mr. Walker, learned how to work with wood to construct a picnic bench and several wooden tables. Students learned about hand tool use and care, wood preservation, and safety. When asked about their experiences, one student reported, "I have learned that I love building things with my own hands." Another student responded, "I have learned that in this occupation, minimal margins of error are important."
Students interning at Balboa Park had a lot of rewarding experiences too. A couple students who interned at the Museum of Man had an opportunity to learn about some of the exhibits, including one on ancient Egypt. (One of these students enjoyed her experience so much that she has written an essay about it, which will be sent out in a separate email.) Another student, interning with the Parks and Recreation Department, had the opportunity to work along side a parks ranger. She spent most of her time gardening around the botanical garden. Other students completed their internship at the Reuben H. Fleet museum, greeting visitors, passing out brochures and maps, and answering general questions from visitors.
Students benefit from taking part in these summer school internships because they learn specific and necessary skills they will need for job success. Many of these jobs require paying close attention to detail. Students enrolled in the internship program also spend time in the classroom every Monday where they learn how to fill out job applications, W-4 documents, and time sheets. They also have the opportunity to learn how to search for jobs, write effective resumes and cover letters, and prepare for future job interviews.
Balboa City School would like to acknowledge what an astounding job our interns have done. Additionally, Balboa City School owes a great deal of thanks to these students for making the school such a pleasant and inviting place. These enhancements to the school's appearance are extremely vital because a safe, clean, and well-maintained school will foster a positive psycho-social climate and culture, improving school connectedness and educational achievement.