Test-Driving the World of Work

10-YEAR-OLD PROGRAM MATCHES HHS STUDENT INTERNS WITH BUSINESS MENTORS

By Christian Kallen

There’s yellow caution tape over the door and a dead body in the middle of the room. Her name is Sarah, according to the three younger-than-expected investigators, and she has been shot twice.

The investigators evaluate the location of the bullet shells and the gunshot impacts, collect fingerprints on everything from window glass to coffee cups, take measurements, compare notes and come up with a possible solution to the crime—and present it to Police Chief Matt Jenkins.

The body, by the way, is a dummy, and the three investigators are juniors at Healdsburg High who have been placed with the Police Department as interns, part of a 10-yearold program that matches students with potential careers in a hands-on role. They are embedded with local businesses to help them see what their chosen career might look like from the inside.

It’s part of the Career and College Readiness seminar required of all students in their junior year, 11th grade. Among other things, the course provides lessons in writing resumes and cover letters, financial literacy, sex and drug education, and research into potential colleges or work careers—preparation for entering the world after high school, down whichever path beckons.

A crucial element of that course is the Academic Internship Program, which places every junior in the school with a local company or enterprise for six full days, two days a week over a three-week period in January and February.

It’s a program that started 10 years ago, making Healdsburg a pioneer in the sort of parity-building course that values every student, not just the honor roll kids or athletes. The companies that participate reflect that broad embrace: from auto mechanics to computer repair, kitchen and bakery staff, local veterinarians to a university marine biology lab in Bodega Bay.

DO HIGH WINDS, LOW TEMPS AND RAINFALL MEAN SNOW?

WEATHER SERVICE

WON’T RULE OUT

A SNOWY FITCH MOUNTAIN ON THURSDAY MORNING

Christian Kallen

By

High winds, freezing temperatures and precipitation have been the reality in Sonoma County this week, and projections that snowfall was possible at elevations down to 1,000 feet—and perhaps lower—held out the tantalizing if unlikely prospect of snow falling on the Healdsburg Plaza.

A cold front blew into the Bay Area on Tuesday,

David Hubbell started running the internship program this year, matching students with mentors who can nurture their interests. The students introduce themselves to and unstable weather continued all week. Tuesday night winds measured 57 miles an hour southwest of Healdsburg, and falling trees knocked out power in the southern part of the county—canceling a Mardi Gras party in Sebastopol, among other impacts.

As the Tribune goes to press, a freeze warning is in effect for the northern Sonoma County area, expected to be lifted on Thursday morning.

The National Weather Service predicts rain and snow would hit the Healdsburg area on Wednesday night, continuing into Thursday morning. Falling temperatures meant snow could fall down to 700 feet, low enough to dust Fitch Mountain with the white stuff.

The snow level is expected to rise to 1,200 feet on Thursday afternoon—Mt. St Helena and

A Calendar Of Upcoming Events In Healdsburg

Hospital District

The monthly board of directors meeting of the North Sonoma County Hospital District takes place on Thursday, Feb. 23 at 1pm. The meeting will be held over Zoom only, and members of the public can access the meeting by using the link on the agenda, available at nschd.com.

DEI Conversation

Second “encuentro” in Healdsburg’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) community conversations, on Thursday, Feb. 23, from 6:30-8:30pm. Subject is contemporary and historical experiences of the African-American community in Healdsburg. At the Healdsburg Community Center, 1557 Healdsburg Ave.

Exhibit Opening

The next exhibit at the Healdsburg Museum is “Healdsburg Volunteers and Visionaries,” highlighting the achievements