Take Our Kids to Work Day 2026
Each fall, Grade 9 students across the District are encouraged to participate in Take Our Kids to Work™ Day. This annual event gives students an opportunity to spend a day in a workplace with a parent, relative, family friend, or other approved host while exploring career possibilities through firsthand experience.
Students have an opportunity to:
- experience the realities and expectations of a workplace;
- observe the skills needed to work effectively and collaboratively;
- recognize the importance of ongoing learning and skill development;
- learn from people working in a variety of careers and occupations;
- explore potential career pathways and areas of interest; and
- develop a better understanding of today's workplace and the skills needed for future success.
At Shuswap Middle School, two Grade 9 students spent the day assisting Teacher Kristy Ross in her classroom. Throughout the day, they supported a variety of classroom tasks, including photocopying materials, reading with students, and organizing classroom resources. Their contributions helped keep the classroom running smoothly while offering a firsthand look at the day-to-day responsibilities of educators.
At Carlin Elementary, J.L. Jackson Secondary student Grayson Kroeker spent the day with his mom, Teacher Counsellor Samantha Kroeker. Because much of Samantha’s role involves working individually with students, Grayson supported the wider school community by assisting in several areas throughout the day. He helped the Teacher Librarian, assisted with physical education classes, and supported recess and lunch supervision.
“We really enjoyed welcoming Grayson into our school community,” shared staff at Carlin Elementary.
Pleasant Valley Secondary student Brennan Hill spent his day with his mom at Okanagan Grown Produce Ltd., a produce marketing agency that works with wholesale markets and large grocery chains. Brennan gained experience with a variety of administrative responsibilities, including answering phone calls, filing documents, and entering orders into the company's sales management database.
Reflecting on his experience, Brennan shared, “It’s too quiet, too much sitting, and I would prefer a more hands-on job." Learning what type of work environment suits them is an important part of the career exploration process, making experiences like Take Your Kids to Work Day especially valuable for students.
By spending time alongside parents, family members, and community professionals, students gain meaningful exposure to different occupations, workplace expectations, and career possibilities. These experiences help connect classroom learning to real-world opportunities and support students as they begin exploring future education and career pathways.