ClawMart
The Barnegat Township School District’s work-based learning (WBL) program offers self-contained special education students invaluable opportunities to gain practical job experience and develop essential vocational skills in the community. These programs are designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and the workplace, providing students with real-world experiences that enhance their employability skills. By partnering with local businesses, we provide opportunities tailored to the interests and abilities of our students. These experiences help students develop a solid foundation of job-specific skills, work habits, and professional etiquette, all of which are essential for success in future employment opportunities.
In addition to technical skills, WBL programs also focus on developing soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Students receive individualized support and guidance from staff, ensuring they have the skills to navigate their work environments effectively and confidently. These programs improve students' vocational prospects and boost their self-esteem and independence by providing meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities. The goal is to empower students to transition seamlessly from school to the workforce, equipped with the skills and confidence needed to be successful in their chosen career paths.
The Barnegat Township School District partners with over 85 local businesses to offer these invaluable learning experiences. These partnerships include well-known establishments such as ACME, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chick-Fil-A, CVS Pharmacy, Jersey Mike’s, Lefty’s, Marchioni’s Pizza and Pasta, Regal Cinema, Salad Works/Frutta Bowls, Petty Motorworks, Planet Fitness, Sweet Jenny’s, TD Bank, and WaWa. By collaborating with numerous businesses, we ensure our students have access to diverse work environments and career fields. This enables them to explore different interests and develop a wide range of skills that will benefit them in their future endeavors.
A highlight of our WBL program is Career Learning Awareness Workplace Skills (CLAWS) at Barnegat High School, which provides comprehensive training designed to help students develop essential workplace skills. Through this program, students gain practical experience in our retail store, CLAWMART, where they learn to process payments by cash or check and respond effectively to customer inquiries. This training is instrumental in helping students understand and manage everyday business transactions and customer service scenarios.
In addition to the hands-on retail experience, the CLAWS program offers job shadowing and mentoring opportunities. These opportunities are facilitated by our teachers and staff members who serve as job coaches to our 18-21 year old students. This dual role allows them to provide personalized support and guidance tailored to the needs of each student. The job shadowing experiences enable students to observe and learn from professionals in various fields, while the mentoring aspect ensures they receive continuous feedback and encouragement. This combination of practical training and personal mentorship ensures that our students are well-prepared for their future careers, equipped with both the technical skills and the confidence needed to be successful in the workforce.