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Published on 08/03/1998 All articles from this issue

Students learn workplace lessons through NOVA

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By Jean Newton

Special to the Town Crier

Through a six-week summer youth program at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Palo Alto, special education students learned valuable job skills first-hand.

Twenty-nine students, ages 14 to 19, from Mountain View, Los Altos, Gunn, Homestead and Lynbrook high schools worked for minimum wage throughout the hospital in a variety of jobs. Duties included working in child care, outpatient surgery, dialysis unit, medical records office, the canteen and warehouse. A job coach provided support and supervision for every six or seven students.

Organizers said the program, which focuses on positive mental attitudes, provides students the chance for personal growth and on-the-job-training.

"This is a great opportunity for special ed students to acquire good work skills and habits and have fun at the same time," said Michael O'Neal, a Regional Opportunity Program teacher in the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District. "They learn how to be an effective, productive employee, and that translates into how to be a good student as well. This is an excellent stepping stone for positive growth and development."

Students in the program gathered daily for an hour-long class where they learned the importance of punctuality, honesty, appropriate dress, following directions and having a positive mental attitude at work.

They would then go to work throughout the hospital cleaning tables in the canteen and learning how to interact with doctors, nurses, patients, visitors and staff.

In the warehouse, students sorted through old patients' charts and recycled or shredded paper.

Students in the janitorial department emptied the trash, vacuumed floors and dusted furniture.

Organizers recognized the students for their outstanding attitudes and enthusiasm at a special graduation ceremony last week, which marked the program's completion.

William Ball, Veteran's Administration chief of voluntary services, said each student showed "commitment and professionalism at their individual job assignments." He said commended the students for doing "an outstanding job," and told them they were "fine representatives of the Health Care System Volunteer Program."

The North County Regional Opportunity Program, the NOVA Summer Youth Program and the Veteran's Administration Hospital joined together to operate this program.

This was the first year the NOVA Summer Youth Program - sponsored by the North County Regional Opportunity Program - was held at the veteran's hospital in Palo Alto.