A recent visit from Kendall Regional Medical Center volunteers gave Jose Trueba’s sixth grade class at Jane S. Roberts K-8 Center a lesson in philanthropy and teamwork.
This visit was part of a year-long School-To-Career program called KAPOW (Kids And the Power Of Work) presented by Learning for Success Inc. in conjunction with Kendall Regional Medical Center (KRMC). Through KAPOW, teachers and volunteers from more than 90 South Florida businesses and organizations collaborate to teach lessons that connect classroom learning with real world workplace skills.
During the visit, students participated in a check presentation made to Learning for Success Inc. with Peter Jude, KRMC’s director of Marketing and Public Relations. Kendall Regional Medical Center donated $1,500 to Learning for Success Inc., a not-for-profit organization.
They also then turned their efforts to a team-building exercise with volunteer Karen Henington. Forming teams, they strategized on how to pass oranges to each other without repeating the method of transfer from one student to the other. Following that the group celebrated by squeezing the oranges and enjoying the fresh juice.
The classroom visits such as this will culminate in May with a field trip to KRMC. At that time, students are able to utilize the workplace skills learned in the classroom in a real world environment.
“The KAPOW program makes my job easier,” Trueba said. “Reinforcing the importance of concepts such as teamwork and positive work habits provides our students with the skills they need to reach their goals,” he added.
“Participating in KAPOW provides our volunteers with a great deal of satisfaction and sense of accomplishment,” Jude said. “This is an opportunity for KRMC to impact the lives of our youth.
Jane S. Roberts K-8 Center uses the KAPOW lessons, taught monthly by KAPOW volunteers, to fulfill school improvement goals. “Cross Curriculum Connections” sections contained in each KAPOW lesson help teachers integrate KAPOW lesson concepts into areas such as math, science, social studies, writing, art and technology.
To find out more about KAPOW, contact John Casbarro, KAPOW coordinator, at john.casbarro@gmail.com at 1-954-680-3916 (office), 786-877-0334 (cell) or visit online at www.kapowlfs.org.
