SPARK: more than just a job
By Paige Purifoy
Photo of SPARK students taken by Landrie Hamilton
Every teenager should have a job. Jobs teach us how to manage finances, build character, handle responsibilities and much more. And having money to spend certainly doesn’t hurt! What could be better than a job that not only strengthens ties with our amazing Owasso Community, but also allows employees to bond with kids who see them as role models? SPARK before and after care is the perfect opportunity for anyone looking to make a difference in Owasso Student’s lives.
The SPARK program is new to Owasso Public Schools and officially started in August of 2023. The safe and welcoming solution it provides is available for preschoolers up to eighth graders and allows students to stay at the sites from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. Our community has been in need of a before and after school program like this for some time, and most districts our size have had similar programs for years. Parents whose work hours don’t align with the school hours benefit greatly from the convenience of SPARK. The program takes place at the school site of the students, which is a comforting and familiar environment. This means parents can drop off their students in the morning and not have to worry about their child’s safety and transportation. The trustworthy SPARK team has it covered!
Melissa Zumwalt, director of before and after care, has been working for SPARK since January of 2023.
“[Working for SPARK] works really well for teachers who may need to earn extra money, moms whose kids are either grown or who can drive themselves or teenagers who love working with kids,” she says. “We want to hire people who not only love working with kids, but who have a heart for connecting with our students!”
Landrie Hamilton, a member of the SPARK staff and junior at Owasso High School, is someone with that heart. She recommends SPARK to anyone wanting a meaningful job that can truly make a difference.
“[The kids] are genuine and hopeful and funny and excited,” she reflects. “[My job is] special to me because I know that I’m doing something good and ... benefiting their lives, because this is the childhood they’re going to think back on. So it’s special for me to make it a fun and safe and exciting place.”
Photo of SPARK students taken by Landrie Hamilton
When searching for a job in high school, most teenagers think about the amount of money it will bring and how easy it will be. Why not consider the lives you can enrich and the opportunities to give back to your community? SPARK is the perfect chance to build relationships with other students in the Owasso district and be a part of something bigger than yourself.