Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Information for Volunteers

What is Reality Day?

It is a fun, interactive “financial literacy” simulation for all high school seniors to learn the “realities” of life after high school or college. It is sponsored by DeForest Area High School and the DeForest Area Chamber of Commerce Education Committee.

How does it work?

• All 12^th grade students complete a career cluster survey and identify a potential occupational area they may be interested in pursuing in their future. After completing an application form, business people evaluate their application to determine an occupation and “life status”. 
• Local businesses provide real life product, service and cost information and staff the reality day “stations” (housing, groceries, checking/savings accounts, etc.). 
• Students are assigned a future occupation and “life status” (with a personal financial profile) based on their career area of interest and the completion of their application form. The Reality Day career and life status assumes an age range from 28 to 30 years old. 
• Students navigate through the Reality Day booths and manage their personal financial resources to pay for one month of life’s necessities while making choices about what additional products and services to purchase.

  How does the program impact students?

  As a result of Reality Day, students:

  • Learn why financial planning skills, goal setting, and decision making are so important to their futures.
  • Learn the relevance of what has been taught in school, and the impact financial literacy has on their lives.
  • Examine their attitudes and understanding about career choices, earning potential, job satisfaction, and the role of those concepts in attaining a quality of life.
  • Interact with DeForest area business people, community members, teachers, support staff and administrators.
  • Work with other students, school staff and the business community in an action-oriented setting that has the power to change student perceptions about their future.

  This year's event is planned for Wednesday, May 25, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm at the North Star Conference Center – Comfort Inn & Suites. Students are bussed to the conference center in three groups. Lunch is provided to all students upon their return to the high school.

  Questions?  Contact Debbie Brewster, School/Community Relations Coordinator, at (608) 842-6581.