Behind the Scenes: Getting Future Ready in the Pewaukee School District

It’s not always easy being a student. Kids have to get ready for their future jobs while also learning and growing in school. That’s a big job, especially since the world is constantly changing. To help students do their best, the Pewaukee School District has worked hard to create Future Ready learning opportunities that help kids build the skills they need for school, work, and life.

To find out what “Future Ready” really means, the Hook Jr. staff went straight to the experts! We got the chance to interview Dr. Cady (our Superintendent), Mr. Pizzo (Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning), and Mrs. Yurk (Chief Information and Technology Officer). Let’s see what they had to say about this super important topic!

You’ve probably heard our school’s mission: “Opening the Door to Each Child’s Future.” It sounds simple, but it makes you wonder: how does the school do that? What are they teaching kids to get them ready? Well, that mission is a big part of what we learn every day. The school helps us build important skills that we’ll need when we grow up. No one knows exactly what the future will be like, but by teaching us skills like how to think through problems and make smart choices, the Pewaukee School District is helping us prepare for anything!

To prepare kids for the real world, Pewaukee Schools make sure students learn skills they’ll use in the future. But since the world is always changing, it’s hard to know exactly what will be important later on. That’s why the district talks to real employers and asks people in the community for ideas. Then, they update what we learn in school so it stays helpful and current.

In addition to the learning that occurs in classrooms, skills such as leadership, collaboration, and communication are also important for preparing students for the future. One way PSD helps students develop these important skills is by giving them opportunities in clubs. A great example of this is our very own Hook Jr.! Students in clubs such as Hook Jr. can build collaboration and communication skills by working together to create amazing articles. Students are also able to mentor others because of our connected campus.

Two really important skills for any job are problem-solving and critical thinking. In the past, schools mainly focused on just teaching facts. But now, the goal is to help kids learn how to think for themselves. That might mean a teacher asking questions or giving examples to help students grow. Everything we learn helps us get better at thinking, solving problems, and understanding the world around us.

Students have a lot to think about as they figure out what they’re good at and what jobs they might want in the future. To be Future Ready, kids need support not only from school staff but also from their families and their community. We are lucky to live in a community that prioritizes learning.  We can learn a lot from the people around us. Parents are always encouraged to help, but it’s also important to help children build independence and remember to take responsibility.

We ended our interview by asking what advice they had for students who want to start getting ready for their future right now. They shared a few great tips for all students in the Pewaukee School District.

1. Don’t be in a big rush; it is ok to enjoy your childhood and be a kid. 

2. Take a risk and try something you might not normally do. 

3. Look for opportunities, don’t wait for them to come to you. 

4. Do your best at everything you do. 

5. Search out a variety of experiences and learn to work with people who might have a different perspective and think differently.