SAN JOSE, CALIF — Every year, hundreds of Silver Creek students enter the work-force while still being a student, and to join these hundreds, there is a comprehensive process that starts at Silver Creek’s front office. 

Students are expected to meet a list of requirements to be able to work while also attending school.

The student must pass the requirement of having a 2.0 GPA. Although, before the first grading period during the beginning of the school year, the student is granted a grace period since grades have not contributed to their GPA yet, and will have to approve their permit after the grades are added. 

After the student surveys whether or not they pass the requirements, the next step is to head to Silver Creek’s front office. The office is situated at the Northeastern sector of campus, and is to the right of the Mental Health and wellness center. 

At the main office there is a wall full of pamphlets and guides next to the right exit to the staff parking lot. One of the trays on the wall holds a work permit form that is titled “Statement Of Intent to Employ a Minor.” The form is meant to be signed by the student, the student’s legal guardian, and the student’s employer. Additionally, there is a section about school information, in which you will fill out the contact information associated with Silver Creek. 

After acquiring all of the needed signatures, turn in the form to the current counseling tech, Juanita Berber Acosta, whose desk is situated next to the pamphlets from where you got the permit form. If everything required is filled out, Berber will approve the permit and the student will be able to work! 

To keep the validity of the permit throughout high school, students must follow the same steps every school year. And if a student obtains a new job, they must renew it.

Advice from Head Counselor Denise Alva states, “Take the application with you to your employer, so they can fill it out. Also remember to keep up your GPA and take a couple permit forms home so you can be ready to renew your permit whenever needed.”