Park Rapids Area Schools

Scrubs Camp-Indigenous Healthcare Career Exploration 

Who: Minnesota students in grades 9-12 interested in the healthcare field (preference will be given to American Indian/Alaskan Native students) 

What: A FREE interactive camp in which students will:

• Stay in the college dorms for two nights
• Experience various cultural activities including traditional games and ceremonies
• Explore careers in a variety of healthcare worlds
• Engage with Tribal community healthcare professionals 
• Go on fun excursions, play traditional games, and other activities! 

When: June 21-23, 2023

Where: Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College 

Why: To honor health, wellness, and tradition by educating students. 

If interested, contact Brenda Shafer-Pellinen at bshaferpellinen@ardc.org

Apply at https://bit.ly/SCRUBSCamps 

NHRA Virtual Youth and Education Services ProgramThe NHRA Youth and Education Services Program makes its return to Brainerd International Raceway on Friday August 18, 2023!

The 2023 NHRA Youth & Education Services Program (YES) digital curriculum is a FREE program that focuses on the importance of goals and continued education; additionally, it allows students to learn about and explore various career opportunities. Students are presented with career, educational, and scholarship opportunities from our official  NHRA YES Program Partners: FORD, Gerber Collision & Glass, Mac Tools, & The U.S. Air Force.    

*** We understand this program occurs during summer break for many schools this year.  All students, families, parents, siblings, chaperones, teachers, administrators, are welcome to register and attend on their own even if their school is on summer break.  Simply have each person that wishes to attend register in order to receive a free race ticket***

After the completion of the online curriculum, all students, teachers, parents, and chaperones will be eligible to receive a free NHRA race ticket which they can use during the summer break and attend the 2023 Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals held at Brainerd International Raceway. This ticket will give students the opportunity to observe the same real-world scenarios discussed in the videos applied live and in person.

***Please note that if you wish to receive a free NHRA Race ticket and attend in person, the deadline to Register is Wednesday August 16th, 2023, at 3:00 PM Central Time.***

All students, teachers, chaperones, bus drivers, parents, relatives, etc. that wish to attend need to each individually register prior to the deadline in order to receive a free ticket to the event.

In order to sign up and attend the NHRA YES Program, simply go to www.nhra.com/yesprogramregistration.  You will then be prompted to the registration page with the same registration questions that you are accustomed to seeing in previous NHRA YES Program events. If you wish to attend the YES Program and receive a free Race ticket for Friday select: Aug. 18 Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals Brainerd, MN (Virtual Program)

After you have registered to attend the NHRA YES Program in your area, you will then be eligible to receive a free race ticket to the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals held in Brainerd, Minnesota at Brainerd International Raceway on Friday August 18, 2023.  This ticket will be emailed to you on the week of the race. 

In addition, there is a series of supplemental videos released periodically covering various subject matter that will show students how S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) principles work in real world situations such as the Camping World Drag Racing Series.  So please keep an eye out for email alerts as those videos are released! You can enjoy those in the classroom or at home prior to the live event.  

For more information, or if you're interested, talk to Mr. Sleen
or email him at dsleen@parkrapids.k12.mn.us

4C Internship 2023-2024 School Year

2023-2024 Seniors,

Mrs. Murphy is looking for the next addition to the 4C Team! This unpaid internship will be counted towards your High School credit, but will build your portfolio in so many ways.

Build your portfolio with:

• The Innovation Station Newsletter
• Heartland Lakes Job & Career Fair
• Panthers First: Coffee, Cookies, and Career Conversations
• Panther Tracks: College & Career Readiness Pathways
• Website Editing, Take Pictures, Record & Edit Videos
• Coordinate Events & Field Trips
• Develop Opportunities for Students
• Generate Ideas for College and Career Readiness
• Collaborate with the Community and Network
• Make Your Own Legacy project for PRAHS
• And So Much More!

If you are interested, please talk to Mrs. Murphy to apply!
Email her at krystalmurphy@parkrapids.k12.mn.us

Scrubs Camp 2023Interested in the medical field? You don't want to miss this opportunity! 

Scrubs Camp offers hands-on, engaging healthcare-related experiences for students entering grades 9-12. Students will enjoy hands-on simulation and interactive team-building activities guided by healthcare professionals. 

THIS IS FREE FOR ALL PARK RAPIDS AREA STUDENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED!!!

It will be held at the Alexandria Technical and Community College from June 14-15th from 4:40-7:30 daily. 

Each student will receive a pair of scrubs to keep! Breakfast, lunch, and snacks included.

Limited spots available - register early! Scholarships available.

If interested, register Here! 

Alexandria Tech Scrubs Camp Flyer

NCI Summer Ag Academy

The Northern Crops Institute is pleased to announce the first NCI Summer Ag Academy!

NCI serves the states of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana.  They will be accepting 60 high school students for an in-depth experience in food science, animal science, or international trade and policy.  This experience is provided at no cost to students!  All you have to do is get there!

The NCI Summer Ag Academy will be held June 13-16, 2023 on the campus of NDSU in Fargo, ND. NCI partners with North Dakota State University, Montana State University, South Dakota State University, and the University of Minnesota, and students will be exposed to available programs at all campuses.

If interested, talk to Ms Siebert! Or email her at aseibert@parkrapids.k12.mn.us

NCI Summer Ag Academy Flyer

Heartland Lakes Job and Career FairCome join us on Friday, April 14th for the Heartland Lake Area's largest job and Career Fair! Numerous employers from the surrounding area will showcase their open jobs to students and the public! 

Who: 
- Local businesses will be showcasing open positions to students from the Heartland Lakes Area (including Park Rapids, Nevis, Laporte, and Menahga)

What: 
- Local job and career fair offering on-the-spot interviews, information, and career readiness workshops! 

Workshops offered are:
- 1:30-1:50 Resume
- 2:30-2:50 Job Search
- 4-4:20 Resume
- 5-5:20 Job Search

You don't want to miss these learning opportunities. Everyone can learn something! 

When:
- Friday, April 14th from 1 pm-6 pm. Students will tour from 1-3:00, and the public from 3:30-6. 

Where: 
- Park Rapids Area High School gymnasium, bus loop, and surrounding areas. 

Why: 
- To inform all who attend of the numerous job and career opportunities in the Heartland Lakes area!

For up-to-date information, please Click Here!
Questions? Ask Krystal Murphy at krystalmurphy@parkrapids.k12.mn.us

Minnesota Business Venture

Registration is open for students to attend Minnesota Business Venture (MBV) at the University of St. Thomas in July. Thanks to generous support from the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship, both sessions of MBV will be at the University of St. Thomas campus in St. Paul, MN this year. 

MBV is a summer camp program where students learn about themselves, career options they may never have heard of, practice teamwork and public speaking, and meet people their age from around the state. MBV looks great on college and job applications, but most of all it’s fun! This is a unique opportunity to live on a college campus, network with entrepreneurs and business professionals, learn the basics of building a business, and hear from amazing speakers! Last year’s lineup included past MBV student and founder of Coconut Whisk, Bella Lam as well as Great Clips CEO Rob Goggins. 

Have your students join us at camp one of these two weeks: 

• July 9-14 at the University of St. Thomas
• July 22-27 at the University of St. Thomas

Students who apply early will save $100! Early bird registration is due by Friday, April 21st.

Register online at https://bestprep.org/minnesota-business-venture/ 

RMCEP Opportunities

The Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program is a private, non-profit corporation that provides quality workforce development services in a nineteen-county area in North Central and West Central Minnesota. They are offering some amazing opportunities to Park Rapids students, including hiring opportunities and educational grants! 

Current high school students are able to find work in the surrounding area, and graduating students can inquire about funding towards furthering their education!

Are you looking for a job? Do you want free money towards your education after high school? Give a Karla a call at the Wadena CareerForce (218-631-7660) and ask about job opportunities or school funding!

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Camp 2023

Applications for RYLA Camp 2023 are open!

What: We are looking for students to attend Rotary Youth Leaderships Award (RYLA) camp this summer for 2023!

Who: Students that will be Juniors or Seniors for the 2023-2024 school year.

Where: The Camp will be at the University of MN Crookston campus

When: July 9th-15th.

Cost: Free if selected!
- Students can apply online via this link: http://district5580ryla.org
- Applications due Monday, April 10
- Once all applications are received we will set a time to interview candidates and select 2 candidates to attend at no cost as well as keep the others as alternates.
    - Last year we were able to send 2 alternates as well.

Please contact Dan Pike, Park Rapids Rotary RYLA Chair with any questions.  Danpike.pr@gmail.com   218-255-3317

For more information on the camp, Click Here! 

 Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences
The Career Immersion Program for MN high school (10 & 11th graders) and our Phlebotomy and Pharmacy Tech programs are now open!  Please see below for more information and the CIP flier attached!  Applications are due March 15th for CIP and Pharmacy Tech. Applications for the July class are due April 7th!

Career Immersion Program:
For those who are working with 10th and 11th graders in Minnesota, our Career Immersion Program will begin accepting applications on January 1.
- This program introduces students to other careers outside of being a doctor or nurse. Many of the programs on the attached timeline students learn about.
- This program brings students to campus for one week and we provide transportation, housing, food and social activities and there is no cost for students. 

Tuition Free programs are covered by the Workforce Development Scholarship, which is to help support the staffing needs at Mayo Clinic. These programs are:
Phlebotomy- 9 weeks, high school diploma, 2.0 GPA
Pharmacy Technician- 20 weeks, high school diploma. You must be 18 by the start of the program.

Programs offering a stipend of $3500:
Phlebotomy- $3500 to be paid over 9 weeks
Pharmacy Technician- $3500 to be paid over the last 8 weeks (first 12 weeks are online)

Bemidji Scrubs Camp

Scrubs Camp is for entering first year, sophomores, juniors and seniors in high school. Students who have a desire to learn about health care careers and educational pathways, particularly those in the greater Bemidji region, are encouraged to attend.

Hands-on activities, dynamic, and fast-paced:
- CPR & First Aid Training
- Nursing lab at Bemidji State University
- Dental & Nursing lab at Northwest Technical College
- Site visit at Sanford Health

Includes: instructional costs, lunch, scrubs top, and lifelong memories.
- Early Bird Registration Ends May 15: $425 w/ housing or $325 commuter
- Regular Registration Begins May 16 Until Filled: $465 w/ housing or $365 commuter

Scrubs Camp offers a limited number of scholarships. Students must respond to a few questions. Students may attach an optional letter of recommendation.

More information on the Scrubs Camp Website! 

Scrubs Camp Flyer

Cross-Curricular STEM Program
The Cross-Curricular STEM Program is looking for applicants for the Engineering Machine Design Contest this Spring. 

Where? St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota
When? Friday, March 31, 2023
Who? This event is for any interested juniors or seniors

The cost is $15/student, but scholarships are available.

The last day to register is Friday, March 3, 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions:
How do schools implement the EMDC? About 60% of students that participate in the EMDC do it as part of a STEM class and 40% as a home room or afterschool club. It is truly a cross-curricular program! Teachers can use this program as a way to reinforce what is taught in class, as well as foster creativity and real world connections. The program is for teams of 5th-12th graders. At the event, teams will showcase their project to a panel of STEM professionals.

How much does it cost to participate? The cost to participate is also minimal. Teams are encouraged to use 100% upcycled material – whatever they can find at home, at school, or even scrap materials from local businesses. Quite literally, a student could be successful with a cardboard box, tape, and some miscellaneous household objects or toys.

What is the time commitment? The time it takes to prepare for the event varies from school to school. Some schools have students work on their projects for a couple of weeks in class leading up to the event, while others spend a few weeks. Prior to the event, teams will build their chain reaction machine, track their progress in a journal, and prepare a mini-presentation about their machine. The machines can be quite simple or overly complex. They can be small and encompass the size of a box or be large (up to 5’).

Email  Andrea Thorstensen to confirm your FREE registration spot before registering!

For more details on the contest, click here!

GigaZone TechXpo
The mission of the GigaZone TechXpo is to spark excitement and create opportunities with technology by connecting students and job seekers with employers, educators, and technology enthusiasts from across northern Minnesota.

Where? The Sanford Center in Bemidji, MN
When? Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 10:00 am – 8:00 pm

Special guest: co-founder of Apple Steve “woz” Wozniak will be attending!

View the GigaZone TechXpo Flyer, Click Here!

Cybersecurity Summer Academy
Alexandria GenCyber is a 5-day camp for high school and middle school students. The academy is funded through a grant from the National Security Agency and National Science Foundation, making it free of charge for participants.

Where? Alexandria, Minnesota. Offered both virtually and in person.
When?July 17-21, 2023
Who? Any student grades 7-12

Students don't need to have any computer knowledge, but do need an interest in technology and cybersecurity.

Experienced high school and college faculty will lead students through lessons and interactive cybersecurity activities throughout the camp. The program will focus on cybersecurity concepts and cover a number of topics including:

- Cybersecurity introduction and online safety
- Hardware, operating systems, and programming
- Networking, cryptography, and securing data
- Ethical hacking
- Computer careers and concepts review

Limited to 20 on-campus and 20 online students.

Email ATCC-GenCyber@alextech.edu with questions.

For more information and to apply, check out the GenCyber Website, Click Here!

DAC Pre ETS Transition Program

The Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) provide students with disabilities the opportunity to experience and explore the world of work. In partnership with MN VRS DEED, we help students make decisions about their career paths and create a plan for their future. Whether younger students are interested in learning about their first summer job or upper-level students are planning their career path after school, providers offer a wide range of possibilities for students aged 14-21 (up until their 22nd birthday).

Pre-ETS providers focus on five core services to offer students during the program:
- Job exploration and counseling   
- Workplace readiness training  
- Paid work-based learning experiences  
- Counseling on post-secondary education or training
- Self-advocacy   

Every student is different, and there isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” solution. Pre-ETS providers work with each student to find what type of job or career path best suits them. Students can expect an individualized approach from providers to help build job awareness and confidence. Services are provided at no cost to the student or family.

To get started, please contact Kelly- HCDAC at (218) 366-3350 or email kringer@hcdac.org.

DAC Pre-ETS Transition Program Flyer

Need Information about Minnesota Colleges? Check out the link below!

Click Here to discover Minnesota Colleges you may be interested in!

Senior Checklist

Are you a senior who is wondering what you should be preparing for after graduation? Check out this Senior Checklist from Miss Golish to advance into the next steps of your future! 

Senior Checklist

If you have ANY other questions, don't hesitate to talk with Miss Golish or Mrs. Murphy about your future plans! 

Wondering What Careers Match Your Personality? 

Attached below is a spreadsheet of info about different careers and their requirements. It is a great resource if you aren't sure what you would like to do, and want more information!

List of Careers/Career Finder Tool

If you have more questions, ask Miss Golish or Mrs. Murphy! 

Sanford Bemidji MedXSanford MedX is a healthcare career exploration program offered to 8th-12th grade students in the Bemidji region and surrounding schools. It offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse of a variety of healthcare professions!

To Apply: 
Scan the QR code
or Contact Hannah Chandler
Hannah.Chandler@sanfordhealth.org
218-333-4544

Industry Recognized Professional Certificates

Looking for Industry Recognized Certificates that you can earn in a high school class? Check out the following credentials offered at PRAHS!

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
• Minnesota Emergency Medical Responders (EMR)
• NIMS Certification (CNC Machining)

Looking for OSHA certification online? Looking for Employability Certification? CareerSafe is geared toward 6th-12th grade students who want to earn additional Employability Training or their Federal OSHA 10 Wallet Card within a single week and the credential is valuable for life. 

CareerSafe courses include:

• StartSafe: Preparing for Work-Based Learning
• Interview Skills
• Communication Skills
• Cybersecurity Essentials for Work
• Time Management
• Human Resource Management
• Teamwork
• Written Communication
• Materials Management
• Workplace Financial Management
• Personal Financial Management
• Critical Thinking

OSHA 10-Hour courses include: 

• OSHA 10-Hour Construction Industry
• OSHA 10-Hour General Industry
• OSHA 10-Hour General Industry (Healthcare)
• OSHA 10-Hour General Industry (Agriculture)
• OSHA 10-Hour General Industry (Cosmetology)
• OSHA 10-Hour General Industry (Manufacturing)
• OSHA 10-Hour General Industry (Culinary)
• OSHA 10-Hour General Industry (Automotive)
• OSHA 10-Hour General Industry (Veterinary)
• OSHA 10-Hour General Industry (Public Safety)
• OSHA 10-Hour General Industry (Public Safety: EMS)
• OSHA 10-Hour General Industry (Public Safety: Law Enforcement, Corrections, Security)

CareerSafe Courses

YouScience-College & Career Readiness Programing
For All 8th-12th Grade PRAS Students

YouScience at Park Rapids Area Schools:
Welcome to YouScience - an all-new tool to discover your future career, all by using your mind's aptitudes! Through YouScience, your students will uncover knowledge of their minds' aptitudes, industry-recognized certifications using Precision Exams, unlock their superpowers (radioactive spider not included), a whole new world of education options and best-fit in-demand careers to better succeed in school and life. YouScience is tailored to the unique needs of each grade level (8-12) to help students learn about themselves, build an education plan, and prepare for options after high school. Each student will receive a hyper-personalized portfolio at the end of their assessment, including possible career and educational pathways, as well as the resources they will need to get there.

PRAS Students Login Link: https://www.youscience.com/login/

Want to Learn More?

• YouScience Website Link: https://www.youscience.com/
  
• What is YouScience? Video Link: https://youtu.be/i9jNoFVXI2A
  
• Why YouScience? Video Link: https://youtu.be/p3ZMPPVJvFE
• YouScience Results Walkthrough Video Link: https://vimeo.com/347806606

Career Fields, Clusters, & Pathways
Minnesota State CAREERwise Education

https://minnstate.edu/system/cte/programs/documents/POS-Framework-2019-one-pager-with-explanation.pdf

Career clusters are one way to group career choices. Careers with common features are in the same cluster. Clusters can be used during career exploration as a way to find your best career match.

• 6 career fields are the broadest level of career options. They are shown at the center of the diagram below around the circle. They're a good place to start exploring careers.
• Underneath those six career fields are the 16 career clusters identified by the National Career Clusters Framework. In addition, some models also include the Energy Systems cluster. Careers with the same knowledge and skills are grouped in the same cluster. Each cluster may include hundreds of different careers.
• Each career cluster includes one or more of 81 career pathways. A pathway is a group of related career specialties within the career cluster.
  • A pathway has its own knowledge and skill requirements. Educational programs can be developed around each pathway. They include curriculum that helps learners prepare for a career. Programs of study are sequential and based on industry expectations and skill standards. Career pathways show learners of all ages which courses will give them the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to pursue their career choice.
• The center of the career pathways diagram shows knowledge and foundation skills. These are a core set of skills needed to be ready for work and college.