The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

"A Family Tradition for 130 Years" Youth at work Students are opting for job experience through co-op class By Jason Logan Port Perry Star Students who are tired of being caught in a stuffy class room all day are choosing to consider a more hands-on approach toward preparing for their futures. Co-operative education at Port Perry High School is becoming a more popu- lar form of learning for students these days. The co-op program is in its seventh year at PPHS, and gets better and better every year according to program director, Joan Quail. "More students, more employers and more suc- cess," she says of the pro- gram and its results. The program will be pro- viding placements for more than 160 students this year, and will be sup- ported by more than 80 lo- cal employers. Mrs. Quail says that the primary reason that stu™ dents get involved in the program is to gain experi- ence in fields in which they are interested. fou can't get a job with- out experience, (and) how can you get experience out a job?" she said. -op students are placed with various busi- nesses or facilities in the area, such as dental offic- es, veterinarian services, and ye8"even your local newspaper. They serve as part time employees while receiving credit in re- turn. The program also gives students a chance to in- vestigate careers, said Mrs. Quail. She explained that it's ortant for students to research these positions to see if they are indeed right for them. On the flip side of things, the employers prosper from this adven- ture as well. They receive "a very ac- tive partnership in educa- tion," said Mrs. Quail. She said businesses have the advantage of a trained employee should a job opportunity happen to arise. The "thumbs up" re- sponse given by the em- ployers themselves is an indication of how practical and suitable the co-op pro- gram is for both sides in- volved. Richard Jones, of Circu- lar Sounds in Port Perry, is fully behind the co-op program. "I'm enthusiastic about it," he said. "It injects a younger perspective into the business Mr. Jones explained that he understands the problems kids have with finding a job these days, and believes the co-op pro- gram provides them with excellent opportunities. Mrs. Quail recalls that the co-op program re- ceived its fair share of flack from other teachers during its earlier years, but now has the approval of everyone in education. She said that the 'ernment -is looki to make co-op a compulsory credit for senior high school students, which would require a 90 per cent increase in student participation. Although Mrs. Quail is obviously a strong sup- porter of co-operative edu- cation, she does not agree with making the program a requirement. She said students who have prob- lems feeling at ease con- versing in a classroom would not find a work placement uncomfortable, and therefore should not be forced to do so "I don't think it's for eve- ryone," she said Teachers involved in the co-op program feel it fos- ters responsibility among students, and that the ex- perience helps them in all areas of their studies. The program basically boils down to introducing students to a workplace atmosphere with the hopes of them learning valuable lessons which will make the long road ahead of them a much smoother surface to travel on. (Students) are better able to make decisions for the future," said Mrs. Quail. Indeed, we are. Jason Logan has been with The Star on a co-op program throughout the fall semester. Do you have an interesting story to tell? Call The Port Perry Star 985-7383 Port Perry High School student Todd Parry spends a little time with his camel friends, one of the tasks he performs at his co-op education placement. He helps out at the Oshawa Zoological Park and, like many other students, is taking "Moonlight Embrace"by James Lumbers FRAMED SPE TH: FRAMER'S GF 237 Queen St., Port Berry 9 085-2