Franklin Primary School students got a welcome disruption in their regular lesson plans to talk about career goals with professionals and community leaders Fri.
The classroom visits were part of Peoria District Public School’s observance of “National College Colors Day," which aims to make higher education a realistic option for students, particularly for kids whose parents didn’t to college.
Principal Ann Bond says the guest speakers are just one of several ways Franklin is bringing college into students’ purview. Bond says, judging from the many times parents have approached her saying their child is interested in college, their work seems to be paying off.
“I have had multiple times where that has happened, and parents are just really surprised by that, they’re encouraged by that," Bond said. "They’ve said things to me like, ‘I didn’t got to college and I don’t talk about college, so I’m not even sure how he or she knew about college.’”
Franklin Primary is one of several schools in the district to apply the Advancement Via Individual Determination Program, or AVID, starting in kindergarten. AVID teaches techniques, like note taking and organization skills, in preparation for high school and college.
But not all of the visitors had a four-year degree. Peoria Police Resident Officer Jo-Paul Jones is working on his associate’s degree at Carl Sandburg College. Jones visited a fourth grade classroom.
“My goal is to basically talk to them about the jobs of the police officer, and try to get some of the negative ideas out of their heads, hopefully," Jones said. "I may not be able to accomplish that in one day, but maybe plant a seed and see what they think.”
Jones told the class, he decided to be a police officer four years ago, after working as a counselor at a rehab facility. Jones says he wanted a job that would allow him to help prevent problems, like drug addictions, before they happen.