Roger Williams to Welcome All Bristol/Warren Fifth Graders to Campus
BRISTOL, R.I., April 2008 – Where can fifth graders learn about leadership, take photos with Swoop the hawk and get a taste of college life all in one day? At Roger Williams University, of course!
On Tuesday, May 6, every fifth grader from the Bristol/Warren Regional School District will experience a day at college at “Fifth Grade Day” at Roger Williams University. In its first year, Fifth Grade Day is meant to inspire the children early in their education to not only finish high school, but to seek a college education.
“By involving students on a college campus and showing them how exciting learning is, it is our hope that these students will stay in school, graduate high school and apply for college,” said K.C. Ferrara, director of the Feinstein Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement. “The more we can demystify the college experience and demonstrate the resources RWU has to offer the community now, the more students will take advantage of those opportunities and apply to college in the future.”
Nearly 100 RWU students, faculty and staff will interact throughout the day with the nearly 235 children scheduled to be in attendance. The fifth graders will participate in a campus tour geared toward 9-to 11-year-olds that will take them into college classrooms, the Performing Arts Center, RWU radio station and the Marine and Natural Sciences Wet Lab, among others campus locations.
RWU students will also discuss college majors and career paths with the children. During sessions led by the RWU Student Senate (organizers of “Fifth Grade Day”) and by students from RWU Athletics, children will engage in fun, interactive leadership exercises.
All activities will take place in the Recreation Center (except for campus tours). The event is closed to the public.