Member of TN BPW/USA
Reality Check - On My Own
Norma Pettyjohn helps Amanda Waters, an eighth grader from Holladay, select her groceries for the month at the Reality Check--On My Own held on April 22 at Camden Jr. High
Eighth Graders Prepare for a Reality Check
On Wednesday, April 29, approximately 200 8th grade math students from Camden, Big Sandy and Holladay schools will be subjected to the cold hard facts of life when they participate in a reality check sponsored by Benton County Business & Professional Women (BPW) and UT Extension Agency (UT). The two groups are gearing up for the eighth year of the program, which gives students a good dose of what life is like in the real world—how some jobs pay well, and some don’t; how bills have to be paid and children fed and clothed, whether one has a lot of money or a little..
The goals of the program are (1) to help students learn basic skills in financial planning, decision making and career planning; (2) to clarify the need for young men and women to examine their attitudes about their futures and career expectations; and (3) to motivate students to stay in school, stay away from drugs and avoid teen pregnancy. Because eighth graders are mandated by the State of Tennessee to choose a career path, Benton Co. BPW felt this was a good opportunity for the students to learn about the results of their choices. They had successfully conducted the Reality Store for six years. Heather Deckard, Consumer Sciences Extension Agent, travels to the eighth grade classrooms and facilitates lesson plans on the fundamentals that the students will use in day-to-day living. These include matching careers and personalities, preparing lifestyle goals and salary goals; family matters and shopping, banking and how to use a checkbook and the effects of credit. Heather presents these classes in a sequential manner over several months. A storefront simulation is the climax of the classes where the students can put to test what they have learned. Heather will then return to the classroom after the simulation to follow-up with the students. Heather approached the BPW members in 2008 and the two groups agreed that it was to logical to combine their efforts to achieve the most benefits for the students. . Last year they launched the progam called “Reality Check—On My Own” with slight variations from the way the program had been previously conducted+. These changes were favorably received and the program will continue this year.
Prior to the simulation, the students will choose a career and determine whether they are married and how many children, if any, they have. The will then visit various storefronts where they must choose and write checks for housing, transportation, insurance, food, utilities, childcare, pay taxes and other normal monthly expenditures. They are then subjected to a “curve ball”, where they must pay for or reap the rewards of life’s unexpected curves. They learn just how far their dollars can go.
Reality Check – On My Own, which will run from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., will require the cooperation of dozens of people. Chairperson, Laurie Pierce admits that their Organization could not have pulled off this huge endeavor the past seven years without the tremendous support of the community. Once again, she is depending on the generosity of our great citizens and businesses. Laurie further says, “You can help in three ways: (1) donate money – your contribution of $50 or more will make you and your business a sponsor and receive recognition; (2) become a volunteer – approximately 50 volunteers are needed to help staff the storefronts the students will visit; and (3) provide promotional items—the students will receive goody bags upon completion of this program. Advertise your business with products that can be inserted in the bags. We are asking those who have participated before to join the fun again. It doesn’t matter if you have children or not, it will be very rewarding. We’re asking for business owners, parents, grandparents, anyone who can donate a little time. Their participation will not go unrecognized.”
All who have participated in this event in the past have been extremely impressed. The students and faculty recognize the benefits of learning about life experiences at an early age. The volunteers and sponsors considered it rewarding to work with the students in helping to make decisions. We hope that you will consider becoming a part of this fun and gratifying event. Anyone interested in learning about the program, helping to man a booth, or becoming a sponsor is invited to contact chairperson Laurie Pierce, at 584-2909.
