CORAL HARBOUR - A group of Grade 9 students at Sakku School in Coral Harbour had the chance to learn a bit about life in the workforce earlier this month.

Clifford Natakok and his dad, Clifford Sr., spent Take Our Kids To Work Day on the job at a new housing unit being constructed in Coral Harbour earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Rhoda Paliak-Angootealuk

The 14 students were out in the community to take part in Take Our Kids To Work Day.

It was the second consecutive year Sakku School participated in the event.

Students were teamed with a parent or family member, and spent a day learning a bit about their job and helping out as much as they could.

Grade 9 teacher Rhoda Paliak-Angootealuk organized the first two projects for the Coral students.

She said the program has become quite popular with her students.

"It's not about the students wanting to get out of the classroom for a day; they really enjoy their time on the job with whomever they're paired with," said Paliak-Angootealuk.

"The parents agreed to this project and when I talk to them, or a relative taking a student on the job, they're really looking forward to it."

Following their day on the job, students take part in class discussions to talk about their experiences.

Paliak-Angootealuk said there has not been a student, so far, with anything negative to say about their experience.

"We talk about how much they enjoyed the job they were doing and if they would recommend it to other students.

"They also wrote notes thanking the people who took care of them for that day."

Paliak-Angootealuk said teens aren't shy about telling you if they're not enjoying something.

And, she said, sometimes their actions speak louder than their words.

"I always tell the students they can go home at 3:40 p.m., which is when the school day normally ends here.

"Every student in my class took part and one, Arlene Gibbons, was enjoying working with the kids at the day care so much, she didn't want to leave.

"Another, Jacob Nakoolak, worked at a new housing unit and didn't leave until they were done at 5 p.m.

"This shows my students are really enjoying taking part in this program."

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