Features Editor

Punxsutawney Phil might be out Feb. 2 looking for his shadow, but

about 500 eighth grade students in Pike County, will get the jump on him.

These students will be out "shadowing" Friday, Feb. 1.

The 5th Annual National Groundhog Job Shadow Day (Feb. 1) is the day many students will shadow their parents, relatives or friends to work and see how the skills they have learned in school are put into action in the workplace.

"Last year, on Groundhog Day, Feb. 2, more than 330 businesses welcomed a student into their workplace," said Evelyn Watson, Troy City/Pike County School-to-Work Opportunities. "More than 489 eighth-grade students and career technical students from the Troy City and Pike County school systems participated in the 4th Annual Groundhog Job Shadow Day. It was a great day and we expect to have an even bigger day this year."

Letters have been sent home encouraging parents to set up, at least a half day, if not a whole day, shadowing experience for their children.

Today (Tuesday, Jan. 29)

is the last day for parents to make arrangements for their children to job shadow on Friday, Watson said.

"Parents who haven’t made arrangements still have time and we encourage them to do so," she said. "This is a wonderful opportunity for students and a very beneficial one."

Watson said the students are able to see, first hand, how manners, courtesy, punctuality, dependability and teamwork are as important in the workplace as hard work and technical skills.

"The students also see how people have to work together and do their part correctly so that everyone is proud of the end result," Watson said. "Job shadowing is an eye-opening experience for all the students who participate."

Watson said parents are reminded to return the registration form to the school and to get the employer’s approval before returning the form.

"Participating in this event will be a win-win situation," she said.