STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT 'CAREERS ON WHEELS'

West Lane Elementary students got a chance to learn about careers Nov. 3. More specifically, they learned about careers revolving around vehicles, during the school's Career On Wheels Day.

Twenty-eight work vehicles were brought by adults -- many of whom were West Lane parents -- to tell students about their careers.

"The kids absolutely loved it. They were thrilled to be able to see the vehicles," said Judy Statler, West Lane counselor. "We gave the students evaluation forms and they said they learned a lot about different careers and the benefits and disadvantages of certain careers."

Statler said there were two adults on a waiting list in case anyone had to cancel. Earlier that week one truck-driving parent called from Florida and another from Virginia, assuring Statler that they would be there.

"They both said they wouldn't miss being there for their child for anything," she said.

Goals for the event were to increase students' awareness of career opportunities and safety measures in the work field. It was also to help students see the relationship between subjects taught in school and the daily work that adults do. It also provided an chance for adults in the community to be involved in the school.

Nelson said the idea "just kind of evolved" during conversations with other counselors and parents in the Parents Always Love Children (PALS) organization.

"Just meeting the people was very important to them," Statler said. "One class had been having a discussion about long division during the week before. Student were saying they didn't see any point in learning long division. When they were able to ask questions, this class always included whether they use long division.

"They asked 10 presenters and all 10 presenters told them, yes, they use long division. That made the lessons that they learn here in school so much more meaningful. They see that skills learning here are used not only here at school, but also as they get older in their careers."

PALS members manned the PALS snacks on wheels wagon, providing speakers with apple cider, water and homemade chocolate chip cookies. Each class had one PALS mother or grandmother with them to walk along with the students to go from presenter to presenter. Statler called them "very helpful."

Things couldn't have worked out better, weather-wise. The cloudy, threatening weather held until well after school, before heavy rains hit the area.

"I can't tell you how grateful am," Statler said Thursday. "Plus, Nov. 10 was the backup rain day. I'm so glad it was last Friday not this Friday."