During the 2001-2002 school year, "Choices" - a one hour/day, two day program designed to stimulate students to do their best in school in order to qualify for the careers they choose - will be offered to over 9,000 East Valley 9th graders. Two major corporations Boeing and Intel, three unified school districts Chandler, Gilbert and Mesa, and the Rotary Club of Sun Lakes have committed over $40,000.00 in licenses, materials and "in-kind" support. Boeing and Intel employees, East Valley Rotary clubs, ASU and public school retirees, etc., will provide instruction. Previous student/staff evaluations rate "Choices" a Win-Win-Win for the student, school and the presenter. "Choices" is a natural compliment to the school career counseling programs. Individuals who are not teachers or parents present "Choices". They are in the classroom because they care! They want to bear witness to the value of education in their lives, their associated mistakes and successes. Their real-world experiences are educational and readily accepted. Training is provided at Boeing and Intel locations.
The "Choices" program has been provided since 1994 by Boeing (previously McDonnell Douglas) to the Mesa Unified School District. In 2000, the Rotary Club of Sun Lakes purchased a five-year license to provide "Choices" to the Chandler Unified School District. Intel purchased the materials. For the 2001, Intel has provided the funding to expand the "Choices" offering to the Gilbert Unified School District. Thus, during the 2001-2002 school year "Choices" will be presented to more than 9,000 East Valley 9th graders in all three school districts.
"Choices" is an interactive, turnkey, classroom seminar that gives middle and high school students something entirely new: a chance to see into the future and recognize the importance of the personal and academic decisions they make today. Through creative, highly participatory exercises, students learn how to take control of their lives through making wise decisions. They consider the effects of choices they make, and explore time and money management techniques. Students are challenged to face their future career options based on the level of education they achieve, as well as the impact their choices will have on others and the world around them. At the end of the seminar they are given the "Key to Success" for their lives and their futures.
Volunteer speakers of your choosing lead "Choices". These speakers are trained to provide students with a relaxed yet structured introduction to realities they'll face after high school --careers, decision making, time and money management, and so on. Individuals or pairs make presentations.
A structured, two day, one hour per day presentation
containing:
1) Factors Influencing Who I am (fortune cookies), 2) Decisions & Consequences,
3) Time Management, 4) Money Management, 5) Strategy For An Uncertain World,
6) Future Impact, and finishing with 7) The Key To Success (gift).
- "CHOICES" TRAINING:
Classroom instruction at Intel and Boeing takes three afternoon hours. Structured
Step-Step Manual retained by presenters. Post training auditing opportunities
available.
- "CHOICES" EVALUATIONS:
Consistently rated as a WIN - WIN - WIN for the students, the presenter and
the school system. "Choices" is the ideal complement to the ever-expanding
schools "Career Planning" activity!
Schedule of Activities - "Choices" Presentations:
- Chandler Unified School District - Two High Schools - About 800 per school:
- Chandler High School - Week of November 5th (Tuesday-Friday)
- Hamilton High School - Week of December 3rd (Monday -Thursday)
- Gilbert Unified School District - Three High Schools
- About 700 per School:
1) Highland High School - October 15/16 (Monday/Tuesday)
2) Gilbert High School - Week of November 12th (Tuesday - Friday)
- Holiday on Monday Nov. 12.
3) Mesquite High School - November 26/27 (Monday/Tuesday)
- Mesa Unified School District - Thirteen Junior High
Schools - About 450 per school
- Monday/Tuesday September 17/18 Kino Junior High School
- Monday/Tuesday October 8/9 Shepherd Junior High School
- Monday/Tuesday October 29/30 Fremont Junior High School
- Wednesday/Thursday October 31/November 1 Stapley Junior HS
- Tuesday/Wednesday November 13/14 Brimhall Junior High School
- Eight other Junior High Schools - TBD
Schedule of Activities - "Choices" Training:
- The Boeing Company, Mesa:
- Wednesday, September 12, 1-4 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 31, 1-4 p.m.
- Intel Corporation, Chandler:
- Wednesday, October 3, 1-4 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 10, 1-4 p.m.
Additional Information - Choices Contacts:
- The Boeing Company/Rotary Club of Sun Lakes, Arizona:
- Hal Wochholz, Choices Coordinator (480) 891-6200 Hal.Wochholz@boeing.com
- Intel Corporation:
- Cheryl Rawdon, Public Affairs (480) 554-8053 Cheryl.R.Rawdon@intel.com
- "Choices" Education Group Seattle, WA:
- Tiffany Markey, Western Region Marketimg Manager
(800) 343-8816 (6) TmMarkey@choicesedgroup.org