Leander Independent School District
COOL Week




COOL Week is a week-long, work-based
experience for all 12th graders.
Students must apply to participate.
Students are matched to work sites by
career preference.
Students are assigned to work sites in
teams of 2-3.

Students will experience:






Job application process/resume critique
Interview and critique
Teamwork and problem solving
Job shadowing
Formal business presentation
Interaction with adults in career field of
interest
Goals


Students will see how what they are
learning in school is used in the work
place.
Students apply skills, such as
teamwork, critical thinking, problem
solving, and communication through the
week’s activities.
Goals


Students will learn how specific
occupations are performed and become
aware of the aptitudes, education, and
training needed to be successful in
those occupations.
Students will be able to make better
informed career decisions based on
actual work experience.
Sample Business Projects

Software/Technology

Fusion Learning Systems


Design and implement software for training
module.
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

Create/update website for Core Comp group.
Sample Business Projects

Customer Service

Five Star Interiors


Installation and development of new show
room.
Newsstand.com

Develop plan to improve training program for
new call center customer service
representatives.
Sample Business Projects

Marketing/Communication

Capital Area Training Foundation


Assist in planning Career Fair (a major event),
including marketing aspects.
Leander Police Department

Survey/study community needs/programs.
Develop implementation plan.
Sample Business Projects

Marketing/Communications (cont.)

Hill Country News


Coverage of COOL Week for special issue.
Emmis Radio Group

Give input on development of marketing plan to
teenage listeners.
Sample Business Projects

Education – COOL School
Teacher Observations, student interaction/observation,
Lesson plan development

Lago Vista Elementary

Texas School for the Deaf

Grisham Middle School
Student Preparation Activities






Completion of coursework related to
work site experience
Preparation of resume’
Interview practice
Instruction & practice with basic tools in
problem-solving process
Instruction in presentation skills
Familiarization with site expectations
Interested?
Step 1 is to complete the application.
Campus Transition Coordinator will
provide these to seniors.
To see a 9 minute QuickTime movie of the
COOL Week experience created by the
students in CPHS Multimedia class, go to the
LISD COOL Week website.
Then what?
Step 2 is to turn in the application
to Transition Coordinator by due
date.
Please note that incomplete applications may not be
processed.
Applications are time and date-stamped as they are
received. If there are more students interested in a
particular position than are available, the applications will
be processed on a “first come; first served” basis.
And?
Watch for signs and listen for
announcements.
Your Transition Coordinator will
contact you to discuss your
COOL Week assignment.
But…..
Once you have turned in the
application, and find you are NOT
able to participate, you must let your
campus Transition Coordinator know
immediately!
The companies have been planning for your arrival. They need
to know if you are not coming!
And….
If you come across an employer
that you believe would enjoy this
experience, let your campus
Transition Coordinator know
that, too!
It doesn’t have to be a company
where YOU want to go; someone
else will be thrilled by the
opportunity of a new contact!
College is an expensive place to find out what
you want to be when you grow up.
“Try on” a job with COOL Week!
Contacts
Leander High School: Sandra MacLachlan 570-1057
or email Sandra.MacLachlan@leanderisd.org
Cedar Park High School: Mitzi Powell 570-1243 or
email Mitzi.Powell@leanderisd.org
Vista Ridge High School: Jayme Spexarth 570-1850
or email Jayme.Spexarth@leanderisd.org