Pirate Partnership

The Howard-Suamico School District’s Pirate Partnership program invites businesses to play an active role in shaping tomorrow’s workforce by connecting students with meaningful, real-world experiences. With three levels of engagement - Explore, Engage, and Advance - companies can choose opportunities that fit their capacity while making a lasting impact on students.

At the Explore level, businesses help students learn about industries and careers by participating in career fairs, mentoring youth apprentices, or providing classroom support.
The Engage level allows students to learn with businesses through job shadows, classroom speakers, industry tours, and hands-on skill development.
For those ready to make a deeper impact, the Advance level supports learning in partnership with companies through project-based mentorships, teacher externships, and collaborative advisory work that directly influences curriculum and career pathways.

Whether a company’s contribution is time, mentorship, equipment, or financial support, Pirate Partners help build bridges between classroom learning and future careers.

How Do Business Partners Benefit?
Businesses benefit from positive community recognition, opportunities to cultivate future talent, and the ability to inspire students by sharing their expertise. From small-scale involvement like hosting a student for a job shadow to large-scale collaboration through advisory committees and sponsored field labs, every partnership strengthens both the schools and the community. By joining the Pirate Partnership, companies take an active role in preparing students for success while showcasing their leadership and commitment to the next generation.

Explore

Career Fair (November 20, 2025)
- Participating in the Bay Port Career Fair allows companies to connect with local students, showcase career opportunities, and build brand awareness within the community. It helps employers identify future talent for apprenticeships, internships, and part-time positions while demonstrating a commitment to education and local workforce development. Register here.
Job Fair (date TBD)
- The Bay Port Job Fair offers companies a unique opportunity to connect with students who are eager to explore summer jobs and post-graduation career options. By participating, employers can highlight their career opportunities, introduce students to their industry, and begin building relationships with potential future employees. This not only helps students gain valuable work experience but also allows companies to support the local workforce pipeline, strengthen community ties, and identify motivated talent ready to contribute right away.
Youth Apprenticeship
- Youth Apprenticeship is a work-based learning experience for high school juniors and seniors. Students get paid, hands-on learning experiences in Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development approved career clusters where they can enhance their learning between school and the workplace.
- Students enrolled in Bay Port’s Youth Apprenticeship program will learn and apply workplace skills with local employer mentors to earn money while learning applicable skills.
- Students can earn up to two credits during their junior year and two credits during their senior year by working 450 hours per year in an approved Youth Apprenticeship position. Students can work during summer and the school year to accumulate 450 hours. Credit amount will be determined by hours, performance, attendance, and participation and communication with the Youth Apprenticeship coach.
- Check out the Bay Port Youth Apprenticeship webpage to learn more!
Financial or In-Kind Contribution
- We invite your company to support Bay Port High School by making a contribution of up to $250 toward a specific classroom need or industry-related project. Your donation will have a direct impact on students by providing resources and hands-on experiences that prepare them for future careers. This is a simple, meaningful way to invest in the next generation while also showcasing your company’s commitment to education and community growth.

Engage

Job Shadow
- Serving as a job shadow site for a Bay Port High School student provides local businesses with a simple yet meaningful way to invest in the future workforce while showcasing their industry to motivated young learners. In just 1–2 hours, businesses can offer students a firsthand look at daily operations, career paths, and workplace culture. This brief, unpaid experience requires minimal time and resources from the business, yet has a lasting impact on students by sparking career interest and building connections between education and real-world opportunities.
Lunch and Learn
- Hosting a career pathway Lunch and Learn for Bay Port High School students is an excellent way for businesses to connect with future talent while highlighting the opportunities within their industry. Companies can provide an engaging overview of their organization and then dive deeper through breakout sessions that showcase specific career roles, giving students valuable insight into the skills and pathways needed for success. We ask that each company provides lunch to ensure access for all Bay Port students.
Guest Speaker
- Becoming a guest speaker is a powerful way for businesses to inspire and inform students about the wide range of career opportunities available in today’s workforce. By sharing personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice, speakers can help students better understand different career paths and the skills needed to succeed. These presentations not only spark student interest but also build meaningful connections between local businesses and the next generation, ensuring that students leave with a clearer vision of their future possibilities.
Career & Technical Education (CTE) Club Mentor
- Serving as a mentor for a CTE club such as DECA, FFA, or SkillsUSA allows business and industry professionals to directly shape the next generation of leaders by guiding students through hands-on, industry-specific projects. Mentors provide real-world perspectives, offer feedback rooted in current practices, and help students connect classroom learning to authentic career applications. This role not only strengthens students’ technical and professional skills but also builds their confidence, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities while giving mentors the satisfaction of investing in future talent and fostering stronger school-to-career connections.
Field Trip
- Hosting an industry-specific field trip for students gives businesses the chance to inspire learners of all ages, from kindergarten through 12th grade, by showcasing real-world applications of classroom learning. These visits allow students to see industries in action, spark curiosity about future career possibilities, and connect education to meaningful, hands-on experiences. For businesses, it’s a simple but impactful way to invest in the community, build awareness of their industry, and encourage the next generation of workers and innovators.
Financial or In-Kind Contribution
- We invite your company to support Bay Port High School by making a contribution of $250-$500 toward a specific classroom need or industry-related project. Your donation will have a direct impact on students by providing resources and hands-on experiences that prepare them for future careers. This is a simple, meaningful way to invest in the next generation while also showcasing your company’s commitment to education and community growth.

Advance

Mentor: Project-Based Learning
- Serving as a project-based learning mentor offers professionals the opportunity to guide students through hands-on, real-world challenges while sharing industry knowledge and expertise. Mentors help students develop critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills as they apply classroom concepts to authentic projects, making learning more engaging and relevant. For the mentor, it provides a meaningful way to give back to the community, connect with emerging talent, and gain fresh perspectives from enthusiastic, creative learners.
Teacher externship
- Hosting a teacher externship allows a company to give educators firsthand experience of industry practices, trends, and workplace technology, which they can then bring back to the classroom. This collaboration strengthens the connection between education and the real world, helping teachers create more relevant, engaging lessons that prepare students for future careers. For the company, it’s an opportunity to build long-term relationships with schools, showcase your industry, and help shape a workforce that better understands the skills needed for success.
Partnership Advisory Board member
- Joining the Pirate Partnership Advisory Board gives businesses a direct role in shaping the future of the Pirate Partnership program, helping guide initiatives that connect students with meaningful career and learning experiences. Advisory board members provide insight on industry trends, student skill needs, and program development, ensuring that the partnership remains relevant and impactful. By participating, businesses strengthen ties with local schools, influence the next generation of talent, and demonstrate a commitment to workforce development and community engagement.
CTE Summer Workshop
- Hosting a two-hour summer workshop for elementary students allows businesses to introduce young learners to your company and the variety of career opportunities it offers in an engaging, age-appropriate way. After a brief overview, students participate in a hands-on project that reinforces key concepts and sparks curiosity about your industry. This short but impactful experience helps students make early connections between learning and real-world applications.
Financial or In-Kind Contribution
- We invite your company to support Bay Port High School by making a contribution of over $500 toward a specific classroom need or industry-related project. Your donation will have a direct impact on students by providing resources and hands-on experiences that prepare them for future careers. This is a simple, meaningful way to invest in the next generation while also showcasing your company’s commitment to education and community growth.

Partnership in Action

Contact Us

Michelle Volk

College & Career Readiness Coordinator

School: 920-662-8108

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