Similar exciting activities took place across Jurupa Unified in celebration of College and Career Kickoff Month. Through a variety of hands-on activities, students of all ages begin to take charge of their futures.
High school students worked with guidance counselors from across the district to take steps toward realizing their college dreams. Students worked on financial aid forms, University of California, and California State University applications.
“It's important to have these workshops integrated into the school day so students have access to people who are knowledgeable about the applications, and that they’re comfortable asking questions,” said Rosio Merino, Rubidoux High School College and Career Counselor.
“College and career activities at schools provide students the opportunity to explore their options and receive the hands-on support that our students need in the safety of their classes,” said Jenna Saugstad, Coordinator of Career Technical Education.
-2.jpg)
Elementary schools hosted career day presentations, middle school students signed a banner committing to pursue college or career, and high school students participated in various financial aid and college application workshops throughout the month.
“Our elementary and secondary education departments work in tandem to create ways for students to find their niche and focus to align themselves… so we can guide students towards the future,” Ms. Saugstad said
Every year, College and Career Center staff visit each other's high schools together to host financial aid and college application workshops.
“
A lot of our students might not know that they have the option to go to college, and we want to make sure that everyone is prepared to go to college or pursue career technical education,” said Daniela Luchembe, Jurupa Valley High School Counselor. “It’s important that we do this push so that students know that we are supporting them and that they can do whatever they set their minds to.”
“We recognize that there are mixed messages about how much aid is out there and (we are) helping students out and giving them the right information and helping them claim free money,” said James Marnell, Patriot High School College and Career Counselor.
Seniors aren’t the only ones who are gaining from College and Career Kickoff.
“It’s a learning experience for the other students to look forward to joining seniors in the excitement of life after school,” said Jennifer Green, Patriot High School Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction. “This is a model for the rest of the school.”
Rubidoux High School students also visited Mission Middle School students as part of the College and Career Kickoff celebrations.
Rubidoux students shared their personal experiences and information about the different Career Technical Education programs, extracurricular activities, and sports available to Mission Middle students when they promote to high school.
“By presenting these opportunities, we can give them that spark that they have been looking for,” said Brittany Serrano, a Rubidoux High School junior.
Brittany and her video production classmates shared how exciting the class is, how it prepares them for a career in the video industry, and projected a video they made.
Viviana Aceves-Cervantez, a Rubidoux High senior, spoke about the State Seal of Civic Engagement. She shared her experience with the project, the value behind community service, and encouraged students to participate when they can.
“It’s our job to prepare (middle school students) and be there to give them pointers about how life is going to be,” said Viviana. “It’s important that we are pushing this (College and Career Kickoff) initiative because the whole point of school is to prepare us for the outside world.”
