Jobs

At the beginning of each year students may apply for classroom jobs. To Apply:
 * Read the jobs and job descriptions, decide which you might enjoy.
 * Write a letter to me, Ms. Swoch explaining why you would be an excellent candidate for the job.
 * Make sure to highlight reasons you can handle the responsibilities and tasks listed in the job description.

Jobs: Messenger (1 per class) Quickly, responsibly, confidentially and safely carry messages from room to room or from the room to the office. The requires a student who can move from room to room or from room to office without disturbing other classes and without the direct supervision of a teacher. This student must respect the confidentiality of the mail if sealed in an envelope. They must also know the school and where rooms are located to which they may be asked to go. This job responsibility must also not disrupt their in class work quality.

Teacher Assistants (2 per class) These students must be able to pass out papers, distribute materials for class and follow extra directions from the teacher (relating to the distribution and handling of materials). This position requires a student who knows the entire class by name in order to pass out papers. This student must also be able to pass papers out silently while also listening to directions, or able to read directions off the board after they are given. It is critical that these students can do their job without disturbing the class. It is also important that these students are quick and efficient in their distribution of materials and papers. This job responsibility must not interfere with the quality of their class work.

Librarian (one student) Responsible for straightening class library books, making sure they are in order and put away. This student needs to be organized, neat and enjoy books. It would also be helpful if this student had experience mending books or was willing to learn how to mend books. This student would also be responsible for putting missing pages back into books, drying books that might get wet for some reason (leaks or plumbing mishaps), tagging books that are missing pages or need to be mended beyond normal procedure, and dusting the bookshelves.

Horticulturalist (one student) This student must have a green thumb. They will water classroom plants on a schedule. They should be able to water the class plants at times when it will not disturb the class and when they have finished their work or during their passing period. The plants must be watered twice a week and the watering needs to be recorded on the schedule. The leaves also need to be dusted with a cloth or paper towel to remove dust and moisten them. Occasionally they may be sprayed with the spray bottle to keep tips from browning. Cacti and succulents need only be watered once a week with a small amount of water. They do not need to be dusted.

Ictheologist (one student) This student must have a keen interest in fish, knowledge of care for fish helpful but not required. This students responsibilities will be feeding the classroom fish once a day with 3 pellets and occasionally a small bit of frozen brine shrimp. The student may ask to be taught how to clean the tank and add water to the tank. After going over these procedures with the teacher and being given the okay to do these procedures they may conduct water changes once a month and water additions when necessary.

Herpetologist (one student) This student must be interested in amphibians and desire to learn more about the care of the class newt in particular. The newt requires three pellets fed daily. The newt also requires that the UV light be turned on at the beginning of the day and off at the end of the day. If the student is in the room at the beginning or the end of the day they may do this, if they are not the teacher will take care of it. After learning the procedures for tank cleaning and water addition the student may be given the okay by the teacher to perform these duties as necessary.

Crustacean Care Specialist (one student) This student must be interested in hermit crabs and understand that their claws can pinch if handled inappropriately. They must also understand the critical needs of these specialized land hermit crabs. The crabs require food changes every other day and must be fed 2 pieces of dried fruit, 2 pieces of crushed crab cakes, and a pinch of oatmeal in a scallop shell. The water basin must be refilled with fresh DECHLORINATED water. The water shell must have a sprinkle of salt and be filled with DECHLORINATED water as well. To maintain humidity the crabs should be sprayed with DECHLORINATED water from the sprayer once a day. The sides of the tank need to be whiped if spray gets on them. After learning the procedures for tank cleaning the student may be given the okay by the teacher to perform some of the tank maintainance.

Desk Monitor (one student from each class) This student will walk around the classroom to ensure the desks and tables are left in appropriate condition for the next class. This means no writing, chairs pushed in, stools under the desk (up at the end of the day), Clear of papers or materials not for the next class. Any desk not left appropriately needs to be reported to the teacher. This student must be exceptionally responsible and have leadership ability. They need to be a steward of the school and the classroom. They must have a firm belief that the classroom should be left as it was when they entered.

Substitute (one student from each class) This student will fill in when another student is on vacation, or absent, from the class that day. The student must be versatile and able to read and complete the job based on the description and prior knowledge of the job. Excellent communication skills are required in order to ask questions of the teacher or other students to clarify the job requirements. The student must also be able to fill in without the job interfering with their daily work and listening ability.

Biology Supervisor (one student) This student is responsible for overseeing the biology positions and filling in when a student is absent or on vacation. Oversight of the positions means maintaining the feeding and cleaning record sheets. This student must enjoy taking care of animals and gain an understanding of how to care for each different species living in the classroom. Critical skills include communication with biology team and teacher, attention to detail, organization, neatness, and desire to learn about the care and requirements of the various lifeforms in the classroom.

Job Promotions, Firings, Lay Offs, Vacation, Substitutes: Job Openings Promotions Firings Lay Offs Vacation Substitutes
 * If a job opens mid year students may submit applications to fill the vacancy.
 * Students will have one week to submit applications from the time the job opening is announced to when the search is closed.
 * This time may be extended based on the school schedule, such as vacations.
 * Students may be promoted to first choice jobs if a job becomes open mid-school year.
 * The student must reapply for the job to show they are still interested.
 * Other students may apply for the job who have previously not held a job or held another job.
 * Students may be fired for failing to complete job responsibilities.
 * If a student is fired a substitute may take over the job until a new candidate is chosen.
 * Some jobs don't last forever, if a job is no longer necessary a student may be laid off.
 * They may now submit an application to work another job should it become open.
 * Students are allowed vacation time.
 * If a student is absent or on vacation a substitute will fill their position until they return.
 * Substitutes are alternately asked to fill the roles of students who are absent.
 * Substitutes will consult the job description if they are unclear on the job they are to complete.