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Marketing and University Communication UW-Green Bay, CL 815 2420 Nicolet Drive Green Bay, WI 54311-7001 (920) 465-2626 E-mail: hildebrs@uwgb.edu Last update: 9/26/07 |
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In
the News Archive - Year:
October 12, 2005 Fifth-graders take a tour of their 'Phuture' Campus program leaders, students introduce youth to college fun, study By Kelly McBride
Along with more than 850 of her peers from schools around the area, Tasha spent her school day touring UWGB, meeting student mentors and getting a taste of campus life. By exposing students to college life before they hit middle school, event organizers hope to nurture thoughts of post-secondary education at an early age.
"Research tells us that (is when) children begin that transition between being a real little kid to starting to think about their future. And most programs target kids in seventh or eighth grade," said Phuture Phoenix director Cyndie Shepard. "We feel that because we start getting them at fifth grade ... that they can begin to plan what they're doing after high school graduation. And we're there to help give them the skills to be able to do that."
Led by UWGB student volunteers, the groups of fifth-graders made their way around campus, whispering excitedly as UWGB student-athletes signed their Phuture Phoenix T-shirts, oohing and aahing at apartment-style dorms and marveling at the size of Cofrin Library.
"I did the five-finger thing," said 11-year-old Cade Berceau, referring to a form of self-test that tells you when a book is probably too tough. According to the assessment, the one he plucked from the Cofrin shelves might be a bit over his head, Cade said.
Still, event organizers know it won't be long until Tuesday's participants will be ready to read such books. Having the college idea instilled early was crucial for student volunteer Kim Pribyl, a junior from Kewaunee.
"If you don't have someone encouraging you, you're not going to go (to college)," Pribyl said. "I always knew at a young age that I was going to go to college. It was ingrained in my mind."
The Phuture Phoenix program is designed to target elementary schools with a high percentage of students from low-income families. It's those students, Shepard said, who statistically have a tougher time finishing high school and pursuing post-secondary education.
In addition to establishing what was for many students their first contact with the UWGB campus, students also received lunch and several gifts — including Phuture Phoenix T-shirts — Tuesday. The day's festivities began with a Weidner Center assembly and wrapped up with a time to share ice cream and chat with UWGB Chancellor Bruce Shepard.
Because UWGB students led the tours, their fifth-grade counterparts were better able to visualize themselves on campus when they get older, said Jennifer Boerner, a fifth-grade teacher at Green Bay's Sullivan Elementary School. In addition to on-campus connections made Tuesday, UWGB students involved in Phuture Phoenix also make several other contacts with the fifth-graders during the year, Cyndie Shepard said.
By the time they left campus Tuesday, many of the students said they had a pretty good idea of what UWGB was all about. Some even had advice to offer.
"It's huge and it's a really fun place to go to college and you can learn lots of stuff from it," said Emma Gordon, a Danz Elementary School fifth grader. "If you ever go to college here, make sure you stop in the library."
By the numbers
878: Number of area fifth-graders who attended Tuesday's Phuture Phoenix Day at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
220: Estimated number of UWGB students who volunteered to lead tours and help with festivities.
25: Number of community volunteers slated to help out.
10: Number of Green Bay School District elementary schools with fifth-graders who attended Phuture Phoenix Day. Students from the West De Pere and Shawano-Gresham districts also attended.
4: Number of times, including Tuesday, Phuture Phoenix Day has been at UWGB. The first time was in spring 2003.
10,000: Number of grant dollars awarded to UWGB to fund Phuture Phoenix Clubs at Edison, Washington and Franklin middle schools in the Green Bay district, plus one at West De Pere Middle School. Students who attend Phuture Phoenix Day later participate in the clubs.
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