UW-Green Bay’s Phuture Phoenix a ‘Program of Distinction’
The Wisconsin PK-16 Leadership Council has named the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s Phuture Phoenix program a Program of Distinction award winner for 2008.
Phuture Phoenix Co-Founder Cyndie Shepard, Program Director Kim Desotell and Associate Director Stephanie Cataldo Pabich will travel to Madison on Wednesday, Oct. 15, to accept the award at the Wisconsin PK-16 Leadership Council meeting on behalf of the University.
The Wisconsin PK-16 Leadership Council is made up of leaders of Wisconsin’s government, state agencies, education sectors, professional associations, business and industry.
The mission of the council is to foster collaboration to enhance learning and learning opportunities throughout the state, so all students are prepared to live in and contribute to a vibrant 21st century society.
One of the council’s goals is to recognize best practices across the state in order to enhance the dissemination of quality programming, support existing partnerships and encourage future collaborative efforts. With this goal in mind, the council created a best practices recognition initiative.
Phuture Phoenix earned a Program of Distinction Award after the council was impressed by the efforts of the UW-Green Bay tutors working in schools that have a high poverty rate and turning students’ aspirations toward success and continuing education beyond high school. They were also impressed with the efforts of Phuture Phoenix to demonstrate improved attendance and academic achievement.
In addition, the council recognized the impact Phuture Phoenix had on University students, many of whom enter education fields as a result of their participation with Phuture Phoenix.
As part of the award, Phuture Phoenix will receive $1,000 that will go toward continuing its efforts to help at-risk children improve their overall academic success and let them know opportunities for educational attainment are not outside their grasp.
Phuture Phoenix is a program that supports and encourages fifth-graders in Northeastern Wisconsin to continue their education beyond 12th grade. UW-Green Bay college students serve as role models for the fifth-graders and continue contact with them through the middle and high school years, motivating them to continue on to a university, college or technical college.
Phuture Phoenix has partnered with the Green Bay Title I elementary schools and with the West De Pere and Oneida Nation school districts. Elementary schools in Bonduel, Bowler, Oconto, Suring, Shawano and Sturgeon Bay also participate through an outreach program.
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