Students

Welcome!

Students are the most important part of our program. We want students of all ages to understand that higher education is important and possible for them. All Blugold Beginnings participants are students with the academic potential and willingness to commit to the program, to themselves, and to their futures.

The Blugold Beginnings program has many ways for students to learn and have fun while preparing for higher education. Our program offers UW-Eau Claire mentors for students to spend time with and learn from.

• 
  Elementary School Students
• 
  High School Students

 

Our program provides a variety of the following helpful services and activities:

• Tutoring
• Mentoring
• Study Skills
• Leadership Skills
• Career Exploration
• College Preparation
• UW-Eau Claire tour day
• Campus visits
• Summer camps

Mentors usually spend approximately five hours a week with their student, depending on the student's and mentor's availability. Middle and high school mentors can meet at school, on the UW-Eau Claire campus, or even in the student's home. Elementary students never leave school, all mentoring sessions take place at the elementary school during recess or after school.

If you are a 5th-12th grade student at one of our participating schools and are interested in any of our services, sign up today for a mentor! You can pick up an application from your school guidance counselor. Applications can also be turned into your guidance counselor.

Resources

Students should check out the KnowHow2Go.org website for more information about going to college, career exploration, and more fun information!

Learn more about fun programs through the Wisconsin Educational Opportunity Programs website!

Coming soon, the Eau Claire area specific Wisconsin Educational Opportunity Programs website!

Elementary School

Welcome!

Elementary programming focuses on fifth grade students and uses a college knowledge binder to structure time spent with college mentors. Site Coordinators and Mentors are active in area schools, visiting two to four times a week.

2012-2013 Participating Schools with Weekly Mentoring:

Augusta Elementary
Schedule:  Friday from 8:00-9:45am

Flynn Elementary
Schedule: Monday and Friday from 12:15-1:00pm

Lakeshore Elementary
Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:50-12:30pm
                 
Longfellow Elementary
Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12:10-12:55pm

Adventure Girls: Wednesday from 3:00-6:00pm

Manz Elementary
Schedule: Monday and Wednesday from 3:30-5:00pm

Sherman Elementary
Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12:10-1:00pm
                 Monday through Thursday from 3:30-5:00pm

Putnam Heights Elementary
Schedule: Tuesday and Thursday from 11:30-12:20pm and 3:30-5:00pm

The Blugold Beginnings program for fifth graders offers the following:
- Tutoring
- Homework help
- Mentoring
- Study skills
- Social skills
- Summer camps
- 5th Grade Campus Tour Day (campus visit/field trip)

April 25th and 26th, 2013, there will be Fifth Grade Campus Tour Dasy at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Students will be paired up with a mentor and given an opportunity to explore all areas of campus life. The 5th graders will be able to step into college classrooms, get a tour of the residence halls, and discover much of what college life is all about. The event will conclude with a presentation from faculty and students about higher education and the opportunities that await them.
Learn more about Fifth Grade Tour Day!

Sign up for the program today! Student Applications can be turned into your school staff, Blugold Beginnings staff at your school, or mailed to:

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Attn: Blugold Beginnings
105 Garfield Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54702

5th Grade Practice Resources:

http://coolmath-games.com/

Sheppardsoftware Math Practice

Sheppardsoftware Science Practice

High School

Welcome!

Blugold Beginnings provides their students with the necessary tools to achieve academic success throughout high school and helps to build the bridge to a post-secondary education. We offer assistance in many academic subjects provided by our various skilled mentors, spanning nearly every topic at three high schools within the greater Eau Claire area.

2012-2013 Participating Schools with Tutor Mentors:

Memorial High School
Partnership Coordinator: Krisit Herbenson

North High School
Partnership Coordinator: Kristi Herbenson

Altoona High School
Partnership Coordinator: Kristi Herbenson


When a student enters the program they are assigned a mentor who provides them with the Blugold Beginnings college knowledge binder that is a step-by-step guide on how to attain a post-secondary education. Mentors provide students with individual help with homework, test taking strategies, preparing for the ACT, and finding the best post-secondary school for the student.

Blugold Beginnings also concentrates its time on several social events. This is a chance for the students to gain knowledge about the university in a different atmosphere, in addition to the classroom. These events promote mentor-student affiliation and are vital to the success of the program. Events also make it possible for students to connect with other students and make the learning process much more enjoyable. These activities provide a memorable, real life experience of campus life at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Become a Blugold Beginnings student today! It’s easy, just fill out the application form, and we’ll pair you up with a college mentor.

Student Applications can be turned into school staff, Blugold Beginnings staff at your school, or mailed to:

Attn: Blugold Beginnings
105 Garfield Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54702
715-836-4304
blugoldbeginnings@uwec.edu

Join the Blugold Beginnings Learning Community - Sign Up Today

OPEN UNTIL FILLED, PRIORITY DEADLINE MAY 31, 2013

Click her for the BBLC Application

What is the Blugold Beginnings Learning Community?
The UW-Eau Claire Blugold Beginnings Learning Community is a program designed to provide academic, social, and personal support to multicultural students at UWEC. We will work with students throughout their undergraduate college experience.

Students form relationships with other UWEC students, faculty, and professional staff by their involvement in academic, social and cultural events, which promote positive college life experiences within their academic community.
Who does the Learning Community serve?
Students who have the strong desire to be successful and attend UWEC! We support all of our participants utilizing a holistic approach and embracing individual goals established within our learning community.


What type of support does the Learning Community provide?
Learning Community members receive support and encouragement every step of the way through the following opportunities:

• A weeklong summer jump-start orientation camp
• Enrollment in linked common courses, First semester: GEN 100 (Introduction to the University Curriculum) and PHIL 120 (Moral Problems) Second Semester: GEN 100 (Academic & Career Exploration)
• Meetings with a university faculty or staff member who serves as your “college coaching” throughout the first year
• Campus events such as Artists and Forum series, films, socials, and sporting activities
• Biweekly meetings with a returning Learning Community student who serves as your peer mentor
• Completion of a service-learning project
• Six hours of paid employment per week
  
  What do participants have to say about their experience in the Blugold Beginnings Learning Community?
  
  On the college coach:
  “The help, understanding and advice that I have received from my college coach and everyone on the Blugold Beginnings Learning Community team have been of incomparable value. I can honestly say that I wouldn’t be in college today if it weren’t for all of the opportunities this program has given me, especially the close interaction between my college coach and myself.” — Etzel Lopez Ortega
  
  On transition:
  “The BBLC has been an amazing experience! I am so glad I joined this group because even though I am a very outgoing person, I was very nervous coming to college thinking it would be hard to make friends and be involved. But through the BBLC, I made so many friendships that I know will last for years.” — Lizzy Harris
  
  On support:
  “I have everything I want in college: friends, opportunities, fun and, most importantly, support. Blugold Beginnings has given me all of these, and I want to thank every person in the program for giving me a chance at a life I’ve never experienced before.” — Txuci Xiong
  
  On making connections:
  “Meeting new people was just the beginning, but becoming a family was the true meaning of the Blugold Beginnings Learning Community.” — Giney Rojas
  
  On employment:
  “Being able to start college with a job mentoring other students made my transition to college so much easier!” — Kalia Yang
  
  On being a college coach:
  “Being a college coach for the Blugold Beginnings Learning Community has been one of the highlights of my year! Getting to know my mentee has been such a joy, and helping her to be successful in her first year has been truly rewarding.” — Jodi Thesing-Ritter 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Students will set goals for academic and personal success and monitor their progress toward achieving those goals.

Students will effectively learn, select, and apply various college learning strategies for academic success.

Students will develop and apply efficient time-management and organizational skills.

Students will connect with the broader campus community by exploring student organizations and attending cultural enrichment events.

Students will become familiar with and use available campus resources to assist in their retention and success (e.g., the offices of Advising, Career Services, Counseling Services, Financial Aid, etc.).

Students will develop the ability to make informed decisions about college majors and career paths through assessment, exploration, research, guidance, advising, and mentoring.

Students will explore their learning processes through Let Me Learn®, a learning tool that helps increase student achievement and retention.

Students will gain an understanding of the importance and value of diversity to their daily lives, in the educational setting and in the future workplace.

Students will establish a social cohort through organized activities in this and other courses of the Blugold Beginnings Learning Community.

For more information regarding Blugold Beginnings Learning Community contact:

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Attn: Blugold Beginnings, Katie Gorell
105 Garfield Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54702
715-836-3015
gorellkv@uwec.edu

Learning Community Monthly Events:

Coming soon for 2013-2014!