Media Advisory: January 22, 2013

Contact: Dennis Gray Phone: 541-744-6356

HAMLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL HOSTS THE REAL LIFE GAME

Students to learn about and prepare for opportunities after high school
SPRINGFIELD, OREGON With help from members of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Hamlin
Middle School students will be assisting younger kids get a taste of life after high school. Real Life Game Hamlin Middle School, 326 Centennial Blvd. Jan. 24, 9:0011:50 a.m. What: Where: When:

I am excited to be able to continue this long-running event! says Hamlin Principal Dennis Gray. This event dovetails very nicely with the Middle College program we started this year. The overall goal is to show students how education and training can impact their future by providing them with more choices and opportunities. Fifth-grade students will participate in the event on January 24. Fifth-graders from TwoDos Ros, Centennial and Guy Lee elementary schools will research several occupations in preparation for the event. They will then arrive at the middle school for 50-minute blocks of time. Students will break into small groups and be linked with a Chamber member and two 8th grade mentors to play an icebreaker game, a life-sized Real Life game, and do a problem-solving exercise. The life-sized interactive game is modeled after the popular Game of Life board game, giving students a fun opportunity to experience a sampling of real-life events such as your friend wrecks your cargo back three spaces. Their goal as they proceed through the game is to gather happy chips, earned by achieving good health, fostering friendships, and accumulating education and training experiences. The event is a collaborative partnership between the school district and the Chamber of Commerce involving elementary students. In the month of March, 8th grade students will engage in their own event with the Chamber by participating in a career panel and job fair. They will be required to write a resume and cover letter, and participate in a mock interview. Chamber members will also join high school students for a job fair and problem-solving event later in the spring. We wanted to come up with a relevant program that would impact elementary studentsthe Real Life game has been successful from year one, says Chamber executive director Dan Egan. Over the years, hundreds of 5 thgraders have been introduced to life in a fun but instructive way through the mentoring of 8 th-graders and volunteers from the business community. The Chamber Education Committee's Game of Life makes us all winners. For more information, contact Dennis Gray at 541-744-6356. Media Opportunities: Chamber members will begin to arrive at 8:30 for instructions. Students from the elementary schools will begin arriving at 9:00 a.m.: 9:00-9:50 (Two RiversDos Ros); 10:00-10:50 (Centennial); 11:00-11:50 (Guy Lee). Media are welcome to join in at any time.

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