Work-Based Learning
Welcome to the SUHSD, WBL Newsletter, Volume 11
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR:
I like numbers because they tell a story in a clear and understandable way. This year’s numbers are impressive! What might surprise you is that volunteering was actually at its highest during the pandemic. When everything was online, it was easy to hop off one Zoom call for work and onto another as a mentor or guest speaker. I looked back at some of our numbers:
- Jan/Feb 2021 = 1,029
- Jan/Feb 2024 = 975
- Jan/Feb 2026 = 1,477
And for March/April:
- Mar/Apr 2021 = 1,469
- Mar/Apr 2024 = 872
- Mar/Apr 2026 = 1,118
Even with the unique circumstances of the pandemic years, 2026 is showing incredible engagement and momentum. The continued willingness of professionals to give their time, share their experiences, and support students speaks volumes about the strength of our community. We can’t thank you enough for all that you offer our students. Your time, encouragement, and willingness to share your expertise make a lasting impact and help students see new possibilities for their future. Warm Regards, Faith Velschow Work-Based Learning Specialist
Cover photo and photo to the left are both from an incredible fieldtrip to ABC7/KRON 4 News.
This is just one of the many events that showcases students, teachers, and community members coming together in new and innovative ways. In this issue, you will see:
- Lots of Fieldtrips
- Guest Speakers
- Career Fairs & Mock Interviews
- WBL by the Numbers
- Mentors
- Who Do You Know?
- Student Work, including building & launching a boat!
Woodside High School Advanced Digital Filmmaking to ABC7/KRON4 News
Right: Menlo-Atherton Biotechnology students visit Gilead Sciences labs.
Thank you all for these incredible experiences!
Culinary Arts students from 3 schools visited the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport
Symposiums
TIDE Academy Symposium
A symposium is a formal academic or professional meeting where experts gather to discuss a highly specific topic. It typically features expert presentations, active audience participation, and deep, collaborative discussions rather than a broad overview of multiple subjects.
Thank you to our volunteers for sharing their time and expertise with students.
Tiffany Longfield, Ph.D., Senior Scientist shared her career journey with students.
Green Academy Symposium
- Keynote by Nicholas Palomarez, Co-founder, Singularity Industries & WHS Alum
- Tom Johnson, Plumbers & Pipefitters, UA Local 467
- Kerstin Spangner, Genetic Counselor, Sutter Health
- Sonya Natanzon, Engineering Executive
- Sarah Scheidt, Operations Manager, Mid-Peninsula Water District
- Michael Anderson, Operations Superintendent, Mid-Peninsula Water District
- Reshmi Rajan, Software Engineer, META
- Sarah Hughes, Urgent Care Veterinarian, SAGE
- Katherine Wright, Park Ranger III, San Mateo County Parks
The event kicked off with a keynote and then students participated in small round table discussions to learn more about the careers that most interested them!
Guest Speakers
Guest speakers inspire students and expand their understanding of the wide range of careers and opportunities that exist.
Mike Fabel, Retired EBS UNIX Skills Center Manager, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company spoke to Carlmont's Intro to Business classes.
Sequoia Food & Nutrition enjoyed guest speakers from 2 local restaurants!
- David Kassouff, with The Sandwich Spot
- Renee Barton & Johnny Arreola from The Redwood Grill shared their Pico De Gallo recipe. Students did all the chopping and then enjoyed it with some house made chips!
College & Career Fairs
WBL By the Numbers
- SUHSD students had 2886 WBL experiences between January-May 2026
- 332 students practiced mock interviews with the help of 213 volunteers
- 274 students met regularly with 250 mentors
Thank you!
Have you ever considered mentoring? Mentoring.org just came out with a new impact study.
- 75% of all Americans who had a mentor growing up said that relationship was a major contributor to their success in life.
- And mentors themselves see this impact — a study by MENTOR found that those who mentored within programs felt that they contributed strongly to student success, reduced violence and delinquency in their community, increased economic opportunity, and ensured that strong morals and values were passed on to the next generations.
WHS Green Academy Mentor Program
Student Work
Inspired by professionals, check out what's happening in our classrooms.
DECA is a global non-profit organization that prepares high school and college students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. It boasts over 330,000 members worldwide, providing real-world experience through classroom integration, networking, and competitive events.
Carlmont HS attends DECA ICDC Atlanta:
Highlights: * Carlmont qualified more students for the DECA national finals than any other school in California (55) * Carlmont student teams earned more top 10 placements (9) at the national finals than any other school in California * 6 Carlmont students earned scholarships for their success in individual events throughout the year: Steven Yao ($3,000), Liuchang Hu ($2,000), Niko Foks ($1,000), Everett Keninger, Nathan Paris, and Devin Suto ($333 each) Carlmont DECA "Glass" Winners (Top 3 in the country) Alex Kim, Ben Taylor, and Mateo Golomb Virtual Business Challenge - Accounting 2nd Place (and $500) Jaysie Ho and Everett Keninger Virtual Business Challenge - Entrepreneurship 2nd Place (and $500) Ben Kim and Ian Kim (plus Jayden Lee) Virtual Business Challenge - Sports 3rd Place (and $250)
Carlmont Biomanufacturing Capstone Project Abstracts 25-26
WHS CTE Presents
Tiny Desk Concert - A collaboration between 1.99 Records, CTE Audio Production, CTE Advanced Film, and CTE Photography. Kids took over the library on May 1st to host a live performance. Audio production set up the PA system and recorded the show for remixing; film had 5 cameras, and photo had 3 photographers capture the day. Classes were invited to 2 "invite-only" sets during 5th period, and the lunchtime set was open to all. Videos and audio are currently being edited and will be published to YouTube soon.
1.99 Records/CTE Audio Production
- 1.99 Records, a club extension of the CTE Audio program, has released 7 songs this year!
- There is also a new website to promote the music.
- Music videos were made by current and former CTE Film students.
Redwood HS Building & Construction Trades Build and Launch a Boat!
The Boat Launch
The Almacita was launched under beautiful blue skies on Wednesday, May 27th at 1:30 pm, Westpoint Harbor LLC, Redwood City, CA