TSD Business Community Connector
Fall 2023 Newsletter
Cold outside? Warm-Up with some Youth Work-Based Learning!
We're gearing up for a busy spring full of events and opportunities for you to share your expertise and career guidance with students! We'd love to have you and your organization participate!
In this Issue:
- Middle School mock interviews at Walt Clark Middle School
- Future Freshmen Career Expo
- Mock Interviews at Thompson Career Campus
- Regional CTE Advisory Meetings - Spring Semester
- Plan ahead to host a Summer Student Internship or Teacher Externship
- Xello Work-Based Learning Network
- Career & College Social Media - Introducing our Social Media Interns, Follow our Socials & be entered to win!
- Fall Field Trip Highlights
Dates and Locations
- Tuesday, January 20th at Berthoud High School (9am-12pm)
- Thursday, January 22nd at Loveland High School (9am-12pm)
- Friday, January 23rd at Mountain View High School (8:30am-11:30am)
- Thursday, January 29th at Thompson Valley High School (9am-12:30pm)
All times include set-up/clean-up time.
About this Event
New this Year! We are transporting 8th graders from all of our middle schools to visit the high schools they'll attend next year. They'll explore all of the Career & Technical Education elective options, visit Businesses & Colleges in a mini career fair, and narrow their future interests right before they register for 9th grade classes!
You're Invited to host a Career Fair Exhibit Booth
We are looking for 10-12 businesses to host interactive exhibit booths on each date, and we're hoping to have businesses/organizations that align with the CTE programs at each high school in addition to businesses representing other career pathways.
LEARN MORE & SIGN-UP:
Interviewers needed on February 25 & 26
Industry professionals are invited to conduct 15 minute mock interviews and participate in a panel discussion about interviewing with Thompson Career Campus students in these pathways: Health Science (CNA/MA), EMT, Manufacturing & Design, Construction Skilled Trades, and Information Technology/Cybersecurity.
- When: February 25 & 26, 2026, morning and afternoon time slots available
- Where: Thompson Career Campus (1811 W 15th St, Loveland)
- SIGN UP: Click here for more information and to register!
Share your Industry Expertise with CTE Educators and Learn about programs in TSD & PSD
You are invited to attend the Collaborative Career & Technical Education (CTE) Advisory Breakfast Meetings. Enjoy a free breakfast and share feedback with our Career & Technical Education staff on industry trends, technology, and work-ready skills to help shape future curriculum in Thompson and Poudre School Districts.
Spring 2026 Meetings:
- January 26 - Multimedia & Technical Theater
- February 3 - Regional Manufacturing Advisory Meeting at Aims Community College
- February 3 - Business/Marketing
- February 10 - Culinary, Education, Interior/Fashion Design
- February 24 - Agriculture, Natural Resources, Outdoor Recreation
- March 3 - Health Science
- March 4 - Aviation
- March 4 - Automotive
- March 31 - ACE (Alternative Cooperative Education) & Work-Based Learning
- April 7 - Computer Science
- April TBD - Architecture & Construction
Locations:
- Manufacturing: Aims Welcome Center, 4901 W 20th St, Greeley
- All other meetings: PSD Future Ready Center or PSD Career Tech Center
- Most meetings are 8:30am to 9:30am
For all meeting times and locations please click here.
More information and Sign-up:
Please contact TSD CTE Director, Andy Stevens at andy.stevens@tsd.org, 970-613-6784
Let's Build an Opportunity Together!
It may be cold outside, but we are already looking towards our busiest time for work-based learning - SUMMER! Let's chat about the talent needs and community partnership priorities of your organization and how a Student Intern or Educator Extern can benefit you!
Let's Connect! Susan Scott, TSD Business Community Coordinator
susan.scott@tsd.org | 970.541.1232 | Schedule a time to meet with me
Or get started by filling our Xello Onboarding/Opportunity Creation form
Host a Student Internship
What can a Student Intern do for you?
- Support daily operations - scheduling, data entry, filing, meeting minutes
- Complete special projects - assisting with "backburner" tasks, creating proposals, conducting research
- Create marketing materials - social media content, email campaigns, mailings, presentations
- Develop professional skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving in a real work environment
Internship Facts:
- Interns are typically juniors, seniors, or new grads, age 16+
- Summer interns have the most flexibility, but students can intern part-time during the school year too!
- Can be job-like or educational/observational
- Can be paid or unpaid (unpaid interns are covered by district liability)
- Interns & Businesses are supported by district staff that check-in and help evaluate students
Host an Educator Externship
What's an Educator Externship?
- A short, hands-on work experience that places educators in real workplaces and gain expertise in their content area
- An opportunity for teachers to understand how their subjects apply and available career pathways within an industry
- A chance for educators to bring current workforce insights back to their students
What can an Educator Extern do?
- Shadow, observe or interview staff and tour worksites
- Support projects and tasks
- Try out technology, tools, and processes
- Attend meetings and events
- Take assessments or tests offered to employees or new hires
What does an Externship look like?
- Approximately 40 total hours during June and July
- Paid or unpaid
- Work collaboratively with educator to establish a schedule
- End of externship evaluation and teacher-created summary video
Join our regional Xello Work-Based Learning Network to reach over 19,000 high school students!
Thompson School District is a proud member of the NoCo K12 Work-Based Learning Collaborative which is made up of school districts in our area that share the Xelllo WBL Network and work together to connect with businesses for the mutual benefit of industry and education. Our Xello WBL software platform allows YOU to reach not just TSD students! Over 19,000 high school students and educators in Larimer and Weld counties are using Xello to find opportunities like:
- Internships and Apprenticeships
- Part-time / summer jobs for current students and full-time employment after graduation
- Job Shadows and Informational Interviews
- Guest speakers and Career Tours
- Volunteer opportunities
Get started by filling our Xello Onboarding/Opportunity Creation form or contact Susan Scott (susan.scott@tsd.org) to become part of our regional WBL platform today!
Introducing our Social Media Interns - Follow our Socials to WIN!
This is our second year of hiring TSD students to be Social Media Marketing Interns for our department! These interns are creating content to promote Career & Technical Education, Work-Based Learning, Concurrent Enrollment, and Xello!
👉Follow our socials for information, opportunities, events, and student stories:
- Instagram: @TSDCareerCollegeReady
- Facebook: facebook.com/TSDCTE
💡Can we spotlight you? Have you hosted or hired a TSD student for a work-based learning experience, a job, or a volunteer opportunity? Are you a TSD Alumnus with a career we can share with students? We want to share your experience on Social Media! Contact susan.scott@tsd.org to be connected with an intern.
Construction Con
Students from TCC, TVHS, LHS, and MVHS attended Construction Con, hosted by the NoCO Construction Sector Partnership. Students visited industry booths and got to try out construction processes, tools, and heavy equipment!
Rocky Mountain Advanced Manufacturing Expo
Students from TCC and TVHS attended RMAME, hosted by the NoCO Manufacturing Sector Partnership where they visited the trade show and a panel discussion about manufacturing careers, gaining access to internships, job opportunities, and knowledge.
Banner Fort Collins Medical Center Tour
Water Treatment Plant Tour
As part of their work to earn the Seal of Climate Literacy, students from TVHS Environmental Science and Natural Resources classes toured the facility and labs and learned about water sources, CBT resource management, and the processes involved in getting safe and palatable drinking water from snowpack to faucet.
Hewlett Packard Day of Industry
Students from the TCC IT/Cybersecurity Program explored careers in technology, engineering and design through workshops, technology showcases, and networking with industry experts at the Fort Collins HP Campus.
Transportation and Construction GIRL Day
Students from TVHS, BHS, LHS, and TCC attended TCG Day in Golden where they met women architects, engineers, and construction professionals while trying out construction tools and equipment and learned what a financially rewarding careers in transportation and construction can look like!