From United Way of Central Kansas...
Reality U brings a bit of “reality” to students through a 75-minute interactive and engaging personal finance simulation. Students imagine their life as a 26-year-old and complete an online lifestyle survey. This information is entered into trademarked software, along with their current GPA, to create a unique and individualized future scenario.
Each scenario includes the student’s monthly income, credit card debt, student loan information, as well as marital and family status. Students are given a checkbook register to track their monthly purchases from the 12 booths representing services and/or products that adults typically must purchase or consider each month. Sometimes they must return a “purchase” and make a different decision. The checkbook register can’t fall below zero!
This event actively engages students to help them understand the importance of how their performance in school today impacts their future. It also provides the community an opportunity to share in local students’ learning and developing an understanding of the world of work.
United Way of Central Kansas works with local businesses and surrounding schools to bring this event to 7 school districts in Barton & Pawnee counties.
Thanks to the sponsorship of Sunflower Bank, as well as Doll Insurance Group, Ellinwood Community Library Foundation, Ellinwood District Hospital, Jensen Associates Insurance Agency, and Zip Stop along with the amazing support of USD 355, Ellinwood Middle School is hosting the event this year.
This event is hosted on a rotating basis between the participating schools, having been held at Hoisington and Larned over the last few years, although students from all the schools attended.
Participating schools include: Central Plains, Ellinwood, Hoisington, Larned, Otis-Bison, and Pawnee Heights, with Stafford County joining us also this year.
In addition to the Reality U portion of this program, UWCK also engages with local supporters and groups to bring in breakout sessions to go in depth on specific topics. The topics this year include “The Reality After High School” with Lindsey Bogner speaking, “Red Hot Opportunities” with Ellinwood EMS and Fire speaking, “Preparing for College” with Barton Community College, and “The Cost of Delinquency” with Juvenile Services and local police openly talking to the students about the consequences of their actions.