The RISE handbook, in plain language

About RISE

RISE Caldwell–Watauga connects students with supervised, real-world work experience and the support to succeed in it.

Our mission

To open doors to brighter futures. RISE connects students with hands-on, high-quality work experiences where they discover their strengths, build real-world skills and earn valuable credentials. By bringing together K–12 schools, colleges, employers and community partners, RISE prepares young people for meaningful careers and strengthens the future of Caldwell and Watauga counties.

Our vision

A community where every student sees a future for themselves right here at home: young people confident stepping into careers they love, businesses with the skilled talent they need, and families that thrive for generations. RISE builds that through a seamless pathway from classroom to career.

What the program includes

Being in RISE does not guarantee a job, continued placement, future pay, or admission into any apprenticeship or employment program.

What students must do

These are the core expectations for staying in good standing. Handbook §3–4

Program requirements

• Be able to pass the employer's drug and background checks.
• Log every hour you work in TimeClock Wizard.
• Finish weekly Moodle assignments, all assigned Moodle coursework and emailed assignments on time.
• Show up to required trainings on time and answer every email.
• Earn "As Expected" or higher on performance evaluations.
• Stay in good academic standing and keep good attendance in both high school and college courses.
• Follow everything in the handbook.
• Keep in regular touch with your assigned RISE Workforce Development Specialist.

On the job

You represent yourself, your family, your school, your employer and RISE. That means:

If requirements aren't met

Depending on the situation, consequences move from support toward removal:

Whenever it's practical, you'll be told about the concern and given a fair chance to respond before any removal. No student will ever be asked to do work that youth employment law prohibits, and RISE can pull a student from any placement where safety, legal compliance or educational value can't be maintained.

Attendance & calling out

Treat this like a real job: you communicate for yourself, early and in writing. Handbook §5

Every absence or late arrival

• Tell your worksite supervisor before your scheduled start time.
• Let your RISE representative and your school contact know.
• Record your attendance and hours accurately, and check school email and your learning platform regularly.
• Don't leave required class time early to get to work unless it's part of an approved work-based learning schedule.

Repeated unexcused absences, frequent lateness, or not communicating can lead to discipline or removal from the program.

How to call out

If you know ahead of time (a trip, an appointment), say so as soon as you know. If you're sick, your parents can't call out for you. This experience mirrors real employment. You don't have to share health details with your employer, though they may ask for a note.

Call your employer, then follow up with an email, copying your RISE Guide and your school's Career Development Coordinator (CDC).

Subject: [Your Full Name] – [Day MM/DD] – [Reason for Absence]

Dear [Supervisor's Name],

I wanted to communicate that I will not be able to report to my worksite on [date(s)] due to [brief reason: illness, family situation, etc.].

I plan to return on [date].

I would like to make up my missed hours so I stay on track, on [dates and times].

Please let me know if there's anything I need to do or anything else I should provide.

If you have any additional questions, please call me at [phone number].

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]

Weather days

Whether you go to work depends on your school's (or the college's) weather decision and whether you can get there safely. Handbook §5

Whose weather policy you follow

Required for everyone: send an email

As soon as you know about a closure, delay or weather absence, email your worksite supervisor and CC Tbrossa@cccti.edu (your RISE Guide) and your Career Development Coordinator. If you can't travel safely, also include your high school counselor; CASA and homeschool students include Mrs. Winkler and Ms. Brossa.

If you don't communicate, the day may be recorded as an unexcused absence.

Subject: [Your Name] – [Date] – Weather Absence

Dear [Supervisor's Name],

I wanted to communicate that I will not be able to report to my worksite today because my school is closed due to weather conditions.

Please find additional information regarding the closure here, if needed:
[Link to the weather announcement from your school]

I apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. I will plan to return as scheduled once my school reopens.

If you have any additional questions, please call me at [phone number].

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]

Hours, grades & incentives

How your time is tracked, how credit is graded, and how any RISE incentives work. Handbook §6, 7, 9

Timekeeping

• Record your start and end time every day in TimeClock Wizard, accurately.
• Report any timekeeping mistake right away.
• Get supervisor verification when required.

Falsifying time records can lead to discipline, removal, loss of academic credit, or a referral for school disciplinary review. For paid positions, the employer keeps the official payroll records.

Grades (when academic credit is awarded)

Grades may reflect completed hours, assignments, reflection activities, professional conduct, supervisor evaluations and following program expectations. Paperwork is due on your school's or college's deadlines, and the school or college makes the final grading decision.

Incentives

When funding is available, RISE may offer performance-based stipends, reimbursements, transportation help, scholarships or other incentives. Any RISE incentive:

• is not guaranteed;
• isn't wages unless it's specifically called compensation;
• doesn't make you a RISE employee;
• may depend on participation, professionalism and program compliance.

In a paid placement, the employer handles payroll, taxes and employment requirements and is solely responsible for wage and hour compliance.

How you're evaluated

Evaluations happen periodically and are meant to help you grow, not just to score you. Handbook §8, 10, 11

Evaluations may cover professionalism, communication, attendance, workplace readiness, skill development and safety compliance. The timing can shift depending on how long your placement lasts.

The 8 A's of workplace readiness

Employer feedback is built around these eight traits:

The rating scale

The bar to stay in good standing is "As Expected" or higher. When appropriate, you'll get feedback and a chance to improve.

Who does what

Everyone in the partnership has a part. Choose a role to see its commitments. Handbook §12–14

Safety & labor law

The protections that apply to every placement. Handbook §15–16

RISE intends every placement to comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act, the North Carolina Wage and Hour Act, North Carolina youth employment law and U.S. Department of Labor regulations.

When a placement can be unpaid

Some experiences may be unpaid when the law allows and the experience is truly educational. Factors include how educational it is, whether it mainly benefits the student, how much supervision and training there is, whether it supports rather than replaces paid staff, and whether anyone expects pay or a guaranteed job.

Off-limits for students under 18

Hazardous occupations prohibited by federal or North Carolina law, including but not limited to:

Employers are responsible for child labor restrictions, work permits and hour limits.

Staying safe

Students must follow safety instructions, wear required protective equipment, take required safety training, and immediately report injuries, unsafe conditions, harassment, discrimination or retaliation. Employers must keep workplaces safe under OSHA and North Carolina safety law.

If there's an injury, report it right away to the worksite supervisor, the RISE Caldwell–Watauga Executive Director, and the school principal and counselor.

Privacy, fairness & technology

Rules that protect employers, students and the people students serve. Handbook §17, 19, 21, 22

Confidentiality

Students may come across confidential business, educational, medical or customer information. Everything learned during the experience, whether on purpose or by accident, stays confidential. Students follow employer privacy policies and FERPA, HIPAA and other rules where they apply. A single breach can end a placement. Other consequences can include academic penalties, losing future eligibility and legal consequences. Questions go to your designated contact right away.

Student records (FERPA)

FERPA protects student education records. The authorization form lets the student's school share records with RISE and CCC&TI so they can check eligibility, support and monitor progress, coordinate schedules, verify completion, and communicate with employers and partners as appropriate.

Records that may be shared: transcripts and grades, attendance, enrollment and courses, discipline and behavior records, CTE participation, credentials, work-based learning documentation, recommendations, and other records relevant to RISE participation.

Non-discrimination & harassment

RISE prohibits discrimination, harassment, retaliation and unequal treatment based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. This covers participation, placements, program activities, work interactions and educational access.

Report concerns right away to the RISE Executive Director, school administration, HR personnel or the appropriate Title IX coordinator. Retaliation for good-faith reporting is prohibited.

Technology use

On employer, school or RISE systems, follow acceptable use policies, protect passwords, avoid unauthorized downloads or data sharing, stay appropriate online, and meet cybersecurity expectations. Don't expect privacy on employer- or school-owned systems, to the extent law and policy allow.

Concerns & removal

How to raise a problem, and how removal from a placement works. Handbook §23–24

Raising a concern

Students and families can report safety issues, harassment or discrimination, wage and hour problems, placement issues, retaliation, accessibility concerns or program compliance problems to RISE staff, school administration, or district or college officials. RISE will review concerns promptly and act under law and policy.

Nothing in the handbook stops anyone from going to an outside agency: the U.S. Department of Labor, the EEOC, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, or the North Carolina Department of Labor.

Reasons a student may be removed

Your due process

Whenever feasible, students get notice of the concern, a chance to respond, and a chance to correct it. Immediate removal can happen when needed for safety, legal compliance or workplace operations. Academic consequences follow school or college policy.

Forms to sign

The packet includes five signed agreements. Here's what each one means and who signs it. Handbook §17–20, 25