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February 2, 2010

Week-long events promote higher education

Special to the Review

Special to the ReviewTexas House Bill 122, passed in 2007, establishes a week in which public schools provide students with comprehensive, grade-appropriate information regarding the importance of the pursuit of higher education.

The goal is to significantly increase the participation rate in Texas colleges and universities among all groups of students.

The effort began with research showing that as more students do not complete high school, the cost in lost tax revenues, foregone income, welfare and unemployment rises proportionately.

The week-long effort for the Athens Independent School District includes activities on all campuses.

The University of Texas at Tyler helped to kick off the celebration on Friday, Jan. 29 with their mobile “Go Center” on the Athens High School campus, assisting students with financial aid information, as well as information about applying for college.

Other activities this week throughout the district will include guest speakers, college DVD’s being shown, students hearing their teacher’s educational profiles, learning about careers, participating in mini-college fairs at elementary campuses, researching colleges and writing student essays about their future.

The driving force behind this year’s campaign is Gay Lynn Hayes, AISD lead counselor, with the help of district campus counselors.

Hayes said the effort is designed to “start the discussions district-wide, and within the Athens ISD community, about the importance of a post-secondary education. Students must be able to begin dreaming the dreams in order to build a college-going culture in our society.”

The following is a list of activities planned at AISD campuses this week:

Athens High School

Athens ISD will celebrate “EDUCATION: Go Get It!” Week Feb. 1 through Feb. 5. To kick off the celebration, on Friday, Jan. 29, The University of Texas at Tyler will have their mobile Go Center on the AHS campus from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. This center will have financial aid information, as well as information about applying for college available to our students.

Athens Middle School

• Monday, Feb. 1:

Students and faculty may wear their favorite college T-shirt or sweatshirt with jeans. Jean-day tickets will be on sale today through Thursday, for $1 students. Faculty can wear jeans and a college shirt again Friday. This will be a fundraiser for AVID.

• Tuesday, Feb. 2:

Advisory classes will have a door-decorating contest. Classes begin working on doors, Monday, Jan. 25 during advisory. Doors must be completed by 8 a.m., Tuesday. The winning class will receive an ice cream sandwich party, and their teacher will get an extended lunch Friday.

• Wednesday, Feb. 3:

All faculty members will make a poster (8.5 X 11 paper-sized) displaying college(s) they attended and degree(s) held.

There will Guest speaker during intramural time in the gymnasium.

• Thursday, Feb. 4:

School-wide display of “The path to college” will be completed. Students will be given a foot during advisory on which they will write their name and the college they would like to attend. These feet will make a path around the campus.

• Friday, Feb. 5:

Students/faculty will have college T-shirt and jean day, with the purchase of a ticket.

Athens Intermediate School 

Staff Go Get It Week Contribution:

Teacher educational profiles will be read during opening and closing announcements.  Additionally, all staff educational profiles will be posted outside each door.

Students will design a graduation cap that shows the college they are interested in going to. The graduation caps will be posted along the hallway near the front office.

A team of students will help Mrs. Hill with producing a “Talk Show” that will highlight future careers, and the college/higher level learning institution they went to.

Bel Air Elementary

Daily:  College DVD’s shown in the gym each morning

Fine Arts-Students will create their own graduation announcements.

Teacher educational profiles will be read during opening and closing announcements

Monday, Feb. 1:

• Door Decorating Contest-Teachers will decorate classroom doors with their favorite college materials or decorations.

• Classroom Guidance-Bring students to Mrs. Mahan’s Office

• Mini College Fair

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