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Tibbott's College Fair Gives Kids a Look Into the Future

Tibbott's college fair caps off a week focusing on introducing the students to college and future career opportunities.

College fairs are quite common in high schools. Even common in some community colleges. 

But elementary schools? That's a whole new ballgame.

But that didn't stop staff from throwing the Valley View School District's first-ever elementary college fair, where representatives from six state higher education institutions came to teach students what college is and what career opportunities a higher education provides. 

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Tibbott Principal Ana Wilson said the idea for the fair and college week, which the school had been celebrating all week, started when first grade bilingual teacher Maritza Loscheider talked about her own college experiences and the children asked her what college was.

“So we started talking about this two years back on how we need to make our children aware of what their opportunities are in life and what they could do with a college education,” Wilson said.

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Then, when the Bolingbrook Rotary Club began handing out dictionaries and telling the children they could bring it to high school or college with them, the idea began to pick up steam, Wilson said.

One third grader said "My dad said I’m not going to college," she said.

“We realize there is a financial element to those decisions, but if you plant the seed early enough, you could plan ahead and at least make people aware of the opportunities are through financing, scholarships and FAFSA," Wilson said.

The week kicked off with a prep rally, where the staff shared their college experiences via power point, and also included a career day.

Some professionals who talked to the kids included a nurse, attorney, emergency room doctor, financial advisor and an undercover police officer.

Wilson decided to send out some letters to state institutions to see if they would have any interest. To her surprise, Western Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University, North Central College, Concordia University Chicago and the University of St. Francis all showed up in full force.

Nia Fowlkes and Britney Gerry, both fifth graders, said the week wasbeneficial for them.

“It’s great,” said Fowlkes, who wants to be a teacher. “I learned about the sports, how far they are and how interesting they are.”

“College is very interesting to learn about and I would like to learn what college I want to go to when I get older,” said Gerry, who hopes to be an artist.

Jeff Chiapello, assistant director of undergraduate admissions at the University of St. Francis, was invited by his cousin, Loscheider to come, and said he was excited sharing information with the children

“It generates an awareness so kids have the opportunity to know what college is and what college is going to do for them,” Chiapello said. “I think that’s going to in terms of making that connection later in life.”

Parents were also receptive to the idea.

Bolingbrook resident Maria Castillo, a parent teacher organization treasurer, said it's good to introduce young children to the idea of college and what professions are available with a degree.

“The school has a high Latino population, so a lot of these kids would be first generation college students,” Castillo said. “This is probably their first introduction and exposure of college. I think that’s why it is so wonderful and I told Ms. Wilson how wonderful I feel this is.”

Bolingbrook resident Jenille Gunter-Harlan, a parent of two Tibbott students, said her kids were excited the whole week and told her all about what they learned.

“Introducing it at an early age is fantastic,” Gunter-Harlan said. “Get it on their minds early. We don’t have to wait until high school or junior high. Get it out there and make it possible for them. Help them understand that it’s possible.”

For next year, Wilson said the theme for the entire school year will be “The Road to College Begins Today,” so the kids realize JRT students are college bound, she said.

The school is hoping to apply for the No Excuses University Network, which is part of the TurnAround Schools programs, planting the seeds for college or higher education

“At this age, you ask the kids what they want to be, and you have a lot of responses like soccer or basketball player,” Wilson said. “We want them to know not only could they be a soccer player, but they could own the soccer team. There are other jobs affiliated that if your skills aren’t enough to go pro, there are other avenues in that network of sports like broadcasting, management, financial advisors or attorneys for the team.” 

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