Never too young to think about college

Thinking about college is no longer limited to high school students. Each year, more and more young students are exploring career and college options — partly due to Porterville Unified School District’s College Day — a day devoted to the encouragement of awareness and exploration of colleges.

“This has been a  district-wide effort to encourage an awareness and exploration of college to promote a college-going culture,” said Cynthia G. Brown, director of Student Pathways.

“Administration and staff at all of our elementary, middle and high schools have created activities and events at their sites to send the message that they are committed to students’ post-secondary goals and that college is a reality for all students.”

At Vandalia Elementary, the young students are taking part in an array of activities, reported Laura Geren, principal.

One of the activities is a door-decorating contest. Each classroom selected a college to research. The classroom door was then decorated, using college facts, colors and mascots, with first place winning a pizza party.

In addition, sixth grade YES program students are spending two days presenting their technology PowerPoint projects on college research; students are encouraged to wear their favorite college shirts; and staff encouraged to wear their alma mater shirts and talk about their college experience.

At Monache High School, tables will be set up in the campus circle Thursday with college representatives from the CSU and UC system, vocational and technology schools, and the military, speaking with students and handing out information during lunch break.