update “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” - Aristotle
October/November 2010
What’s Inside? From the UB Staff Paul,’ 5 Secrets!
As the (UB) World Turns What’s new at UB?
News YOU can use Who’s happy?
Blast From the Past Bounder Bear’s Alumni News
Parents’ Page Working students . . . and much more!!!
We’re Proud of You, First Quarter Scholars! 4.000 and above Sabrina B (Logan) * Katelynn B (Sparta) * Van N (Logan) Shue Shiane Y (Central) * Sou Thee H (Logan) Blair M (Sparta) * KaBao Y (Central) Fong V (Holmen) * Gao Seng Y (Logan) MaLia T (Central) * Tou Long V (Central) 3.750 to 3.999 Tou Y (Holmen) * Samantha A (Tomah) * Ann V (Holmen) Whitney T (Holmen) * Zakary J (Tomah Pang Jee Y (Central) * Katelynn B (Sparta) PaChoua L (Holmen) * Vang Y (Central) Sabrina D (Central) * Miranda A (Tomah) 3.500 to 3.749 Yer L (Holmen) * Hai Va Y (Central) * Mai Khoua V (Holmen) Zachary K (Sparta) * Lakysha R (Logan) * Michael B (Sparta) Bobby L (Logan) * Fue Y (Holmen) Upward Bound serves students from several different schools with different grading systems UB figures all participants’ quarter grades using a four point weighted scale. The resulting UB grade point average is used for this honor roll. Only UB participants active during all of the quarter are included here.
Skills, Careers and scholarships! UB Saturday and special events provide a chance for students from different schools served by UB to meet up and learn together. In October, academic skills were the topic and a panel of UB grads gave their own advice and experiences. November’s 27th annual Career Day saw many local professionals share their life experiences. And on November 22, a hands-on scholarship workshop kept students busy!
UB seniors search the web for college money!
I was invited to speak to a youth group a few weeks ago and what follows is an abridged version of my address: So subject of my speech tonight is "5 Secrets for Success." First off, these aren't really secrets, but just general observations and practices that I have done over time to "get things done." #1 Be genuinely interested … and if you can't, fake it. A lot of things in life, much less school, require your interest and attention. Unfortunately, far too many people have trouble getting themselves interested in almost anything. The point is, you will need to tell yourself, "This is interesting!" for almost anything, if not everything. Many times, I went to class and said to myself, "Okay, I'm paying attention and telling myself, 'This is interesting!'" In other words, be 'intellectually curious.' I would have said, "#1 Be intellectually curious!" But honestly, sometimes you do have to fake it. #2 You will have to work everyday … that means tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. Okay, in other words, this isn't glamorous, it's work…and work needs to be done daily! Let's look at a few things, in the glamorous world of sports, Major League Baseball has a season of 162 games, the NBA and NHL play 82 games, the NFL plays 16 regular season games. To all these, add in pre-season, post-season, practices, offseason conditioning…that is a lot of work. School and life is the same way. Popular entertainers often practice hours, days for each brief performance. My point is that you need to learn to love to do the work to achieve success. #3 Success and failure are fleeting … but one can feed the other. This one is an easy one, but it's a "mind-check" or perhaps an "attitudecheck." My dad had a sign from his college basketball days that stated, "Stay Hungry." I asked him what that meant and he told me his coach put the sign on everyone's locker to remind them that "good enough" wasn't good enough. Success will breed success if you learn to never be satisfied with good enough. (Of course, rejoice in success and smile, my aim here isn't to turn you into psychopaths.) I always liked a saying of awardwinning actress Stockard Channing, "I will never bubble-bath in acclaim." Okay, so success is good, what about failure? Well, failure isn't always bad, it can motivate you, teach you, give you an idea where your challenges lie and how you can move ahead. What you need to do to make yourself stronger. Now as high school students, realize that you can use some help here. Realize that you can get advice on what you need to do to improve…and then do it. 5 Secrets continued on next page
October/November 2010
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UB Update
5 Secrets continued from page 2 #4 What you are to become … you are now becoming. I have an older cousin and that was his class motto. For some reason, it has stuck with me. Probably because it echoes the idea that as you go through life, you will change and who you are, what you value and what you want to be might or will change. I have friend from way back in grade school who is a cardiologist. Since grade school, he wanted to be a doctor and in middle school he wanted to be a cardiologist. However, as he has gone through life, who he is and what he has done has changed. Another person I know, a friend of my wife's, is currently working as a speech writer. In the past, she has been a journalist, publisher, editor, advertising specialist and public relations expert among other jobs. During this time, she has travelled the globe…over and over again. In fact, she works enough to afford to travel…then she's off on another adventure. So, take a deep breath! You - at this very moment - don't have to figure out what you are going to be when you're 40. Forty will come soon enough. #5 Read! Okay…sorry to bore you on this one…I knew you were looking for a good one at the end. But, one thing that far too few people do is read. And as you grow older, it's the challenge to read material that will make you grow intellectually. I won't castigate you all for reading what is popular, that is a start. But there are 1000s of challenging books, magazines and periodicals that can open a world of thought and development for you. I'll mention two. Scientific American is an outstanding magazine that should be in most of your school libraries. Check it out … literally. If you love science, it will be a great read, if you hate science, it will be challenging, maybe even difficult. But that is the process of developing intellectually. Likewise, Great Books of the Western World list is a great place to start. This list, started at the University of Chicago, had a number of very challenging books to read, comprehend and process. Now a word of warning, the list tends to be male-dominated and lacking in multiculturalism, if you can get past that, you will have a great and challenging time reading. Personally, I haven't read a quarter of the 54 volumes, but the ones I have really worked to develop my mind. So, in closing, let me urge you all to keep working on pursuing your goals and dreams. The ones you have now and the ones you will develop in the future.
UB Update
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October/November 2010
YES!!! UB seniors ROCK! That UB summer Senior Seminar has really paid off with many UB seniors already accepted for fall 2011!!! Congratulations!
Miranda A:
UW-Eau Claire, UW-La Crosse and
UW-Milwaukee
Sabrina B:
University of Minnesota
Kaitlyn B:
UW-Eau Claire and UW-River Falls
Sou Thee H: Nhia L:
UW-Green Bay, UW-La Crosse, UW-Madison and UW-Oshkosh
UW-Green Bay, UW-Milwaukee and UW-Oshkosh
PaChoua L:
UW-La Crosse and UW-Stevens Point
Kiswana R:
UW-Eau Claire and UW-Milwaukee
Ethan T: Fong V:
UW-Milwaukee and UW-Stout
UW-La Crosse and UW-Madison
Mai Khoua V: Sheng Y:
UW-Stevens Point and UW-Stout
UW-Eau Claire, UW-La Crosse, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Stevens Point and Winona State
University
Tou Y:
UW-La Crosse
Van N was a September Student of the Month at Logan HS! Tou Long V and Shue Shiane Y were inducted into Central’s National Honor Society in November! They were also nominated as students of the month for December. Congrats, UB students on Central’s 1st quarter honor roll: Sabrina D, MaLia T, Maurena T, Tou Long V, Hai Va Y, KaBao Y, Pang Jee Y, Shue Shiane Y, Vang Y
October/November 2010
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UB Update
As the (UB) World Turns (rootin’ tootin’ edition) Since our last episode, Sherrif Antoiwana, is still in University City, meeting with the governor. They are forming a committee to find a new sherrif sometime next spring. Meanwhile, Deputy Paul and the posse (Ben and Lisa) are out on the trail with all the UB hands, moving UB students toward College Town. They’re being followed by the evil Procrastination Pete and his gang - Forgetful Frank, Can’t Call Clyde, and Disinterested Dan. These villains are trying to steal students away from their goals, but the experienced crew from the UB Ranch is working hard to keep everyone on track! Back at the ranch, Miz Cathy is trying to find out what happened to all those students who went to College Town last year and the years before. And everyone is concerned about the big Budget Cut Storm that’s blowin’ up on the horizon. Stay tuned next time for another exciting episode of As the (UB) World Turns!
Give Kids a Smile Day - Free Dental Screening
On the other hand, Payscale.com has a list of the top 10 highest paying college degrees: petroleum engineering, aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, nuclear engineering, applied mathematics, biomedical engiYOU CAN neering, physics, computer USE engineering and economics. Read more at www.payscale.com/best-colleges/ degrees.asp
The La Crosse District Dental Society will again provide a day of free dental care for children in the La Crosse School District if children are first time participants in Give Kids a Smile program, between the ages of 5 and 18, eligible for free/reduced school lunch and not receiving regular dental care. Contact your health officer by December 17 to see if you’re eligible. The event will be January 7, 2001 between 3 and 7 p.m. and includes a free examination and x-rays with a follow-up dental appointment. + + + + + + + + + +
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CNNMoney.com published its list of College degrees that don’t pay recently. Using Payscale.com info they determined that you are not going to get rich with degrees in social work, athletic training, recreation and leisure, art, interior design, religious studies, education and culinary arts. Read more at http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/pf/1008/ gallery.low_paying_college_degrees/index.html
UB Update
According to the World Values Survey, conducted every five years, it pays to be relatively wealthy. From the most recent (2005) survey, here are the top “happiest” countries in order: Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Australia, Ireland, Switzerland, Norway, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Belgium, Phillipines, United States, France, Finland, Austria, Canada. Read more at www.worldvaluessurvey.org/
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October/November 2010
Prescription for cha nge: Aca demic Skills for College-Bound Students
On October 16, UB students gathered in UW-L’s Cartwright Center for a workshop on improving academic skills. Presenters included UB staff; Heidi Pfeiffer, who currently works on a mental health research team at the VA Medical Center in Milwaukee; and a panel of UW-L UB graduates who are currently enrolled in college. After the program, UB students responded to writing prompts:
Our abilities are tested once we enter our first college classroom. For some, it can be a challenge. The new environment causes a lot of stress for college freshmen. However, I feel that I am prepared for the academic demands of college. Throughout my high school career, I have developed different ways to succeed in college. First of all, I have created my own studying style. Whenever I have a test coming up, I usually use this technique to prepare for it. This technique involves taking breaks every now and then to relieve myself from stress. Another thing I do is have study sessions with my classmates. When we combine the minds of five AP students we get a better understanding of the topics that will be tested. Lastly, one of the most useful techniques I use comes from my teachers. Asking them for tips on how to prepare for tests comes in handy many times, and it allows me to get a better understanding of things. These skills and techniques have all helped me academically. They're simple, yet they are extremely useful. In college, these skills will definitely come in handy when I'm trying to succeed on my own. I will, without doubt, be able to handle college stress with these accumulated skills.
have a good job for college and be able to make more money than a usual college student would. One other way is that now I am applying for some scholarships for Milwaukee and Stevens Point because these schools have some of my majors. After I get my CNA certification more colleges would accept me because I will have had some experience in the medical field. + + + + + + + + + + I feel that I am prepared for the academic demands of college classes because one, I’m taking challenging classes in high school (honors and an AP class). Two, I’m in Upward Bound, and I take advantage of the tutoring sessions they offer which helps me succeed in class. Three, I use the Upward Bound program to help me prepare for college by helping to make sure I take the right courses in high school and do the right things out of school such as community service to help build a great application for any college. With taking challenging classes and getting help from Upward Bound, I feel that I’m prepared for the academic demands of college classes. + + + + + + + + + + I feel that I am prepared for the academic demands of college. For one thing, I am excellent at taking tests. I also have developed the ability to remember verbal notes rather well. When I actually take the time to study, I cover the material in such a way that I can even remember what I studied in the middle (I get sidetracked easily, so it breaks the material into more manageable chunks). The combination of these tricks and skills will help me in college.
+ + + + + + + + + + I do not feel prepared for college classes yet. I have many skills I need to work on still. I know I still have some time to fix this too. One skill I need to work on is organization. Another skill is late work. I think I have too much of this and I need to be more on time. Lastly, I have to start using the planner. After hearing more about the college life, I am surprised that the planner is pretty much a key to the future, success, and life.
+ + + + + + + + + + I do not feel that I am prepared for the academic demands of college. I have friends that are in college now and they have a lot of homework from each class. They also have a lot of writing to do. The AP classes I am in right now are challenging and they are easy compared to college classes. So I do not feel I am prepared but I may be better prepared than others.
+ + + + + + + + + + I feel like I am prepared because I have thought a lot about my career and what path I am going to take to get there. One thing is that my classes in the Health Science Academy are helping me because that program is preparing me to become a CNA. I would
October/November 2010
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UB Update
I do not feel like I am prepared for college classes because I am such a bad procrastinator. I wait forever to do my homework. I wait until the last minute then I end up not doing it. I have a hard time paying attention when I don’t care what the teacher is talking about. I can’t make it interesting. I have no self control when it comes to homework. I will be on the computer and be all like, “I will do my homework later,” and I never do it at all. I really need to work on all these points.
Academic skills continued I feel that I am prepared for college. I know what study tools help me learn better. I also have pretty good time management skills which will help a lot. Lastly, I know how to take good notes that help me to be better at tests. Study tools are very important and I feel that I know what works for me. I am a person who has to read things out loud and that's how it sticks. I do my homework at set times so I have time to do other things. I also try not to procrastinate at doing them and reward myself when done at certain times. Lastly, I know how to take good notes. I realize that highlighting helps me memorize better. Therefore, I feel like I am prepared for the academic demands of college. + + + + + + + + + +
IMPROVE YOUR STUDY HABITS! These Techniques are SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN to be SUCCESSFUL! USE MULTIPLE STUDY LOCATIONS! Instead of sticking to one study location, simply alternating the room where a person studies improves retention.
CLENCH YOUR MUSCLES! - For whatever reason, studies show that if you need to exert self-control to reach a desired goal (finishing your homework instead of playing a video game, for example), clenching muscles makes a difference!
VARY THE TYPE OF MATERIAL YOU STUDY IN ONE SITTING! Alternating, for example, among vocabulary, reading and speaking in a new language seems to leave a deeper impression on the brain than does concentrating on just one skill at a time.
ENGAGE YOUR WHOLE BRAIN! The more parts of your brain that are involved in learning and remembering, the better your chances of retaining the information. Recite new material out loud, make a song or poem out of it. Visualize new ideas by creating a mental picture of them. Associate new facts with things that are already familiar.
REVISIT MATERIAL SEVERAL TIMES OVER SEVERAL DAYS! Cramming can work for the short term. But spacing study over a longer period improves later recall, without requiring more overall study effort
JOIN A STUDY GROUP! Peer learning can help students do better than they thought they could do. Learning with and from others, especially if there’s an older or more experienced student in the group, can help develop critical and abstract thinking abilities and improve overall performance.
DO PRACTICE TESTS AND QUIZES! Not only will you learn the material faster, but you will learn it better. In fact, the harder it is to learn, the harder it is to forget!.
UB Update
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October/November 2010
CAREER DAY
CAREER DAY For the past TWENTY-SEVEN years, Upward Bound has hosted a November Career Day program for students and their parents. Thanks to the generosity of volunteer professionals, participants heard what it takes to have a successful career. Two Upward Bound graduates started off the day telling about their own education and career paths. Following the program, students wrote about their ideal job. Excerpts from their writing follow here:
If I was given the gift to wake up tomorrow and choose my career, I would love to be an architect. I would need organization, communication, and time management skills to successfully work in the architectural field. I would have to need multiple years of education at a university, and some formal type of internship. The most important skills for any career-even in architecture-would be communication. I would need to be able to communicate with my clients, coworkers, and community to work efficiently. Then, having an organized staff and work area would make life in the work place less stressful. Last, having the time management skill would help me and others use our time efficiently. I would choose a university that has a strong program in the field of study which I am pursuing. The university would need to have a diverse student body because I would want to leave with a strong social network to build my career. That university has to be centered in a metropolitan area with many different types of architectural influences to study. Last, I would leave the university with many years of experience to carry on in the world. My job will require experiences from work studies, internships, and knowledge from a university. I would take many job internship opportunities to gain the skills I need to efficiently work in the field. Having a work study experience would greatly impact my view on the job. The last key fact is having the knowledge to qualify me for the position. Therefore, if I were given the choice to choose any career, I would choose architecture. I like mathematics, art, and physics which all tie into that job, even though I would obviously need the experience and knowledge to successfully perform well in the job.
I personally would love to be a hotel owner/manager.
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October/November 2010
In order to do this, I would need to have math skills, management skills and most likely some kind of communication skills. Also, a lifetime of education would be needed. The hotel business, I’m sure, has tons of math practice - from doing the books to counting inventory. Math is a key factor in many businesses as it is. Taking math classes all through high school and college would be the key to success. Managing a business is a lot of work. Keeping track of what is going on all throughout the hotel at all times. There are great management classes in tons of schools, but it also helps to manage little things in your everyday life such as school. Communicating with other people and local and national businesses is very very important. Without proper communication, things will get ugly. Taking social and people classes will help round your communication skills. All in all I am extremely interested in this career field and it will tak a lot of hard work and dedication. I believe with the proper skills and communication, I will do well. * * * * *
I would be an abstract artist because that is one thing I really enjoy doing. It is also something I think I’m good at. I’ve always liked art, but I never thought that is what I’d do for a living. Some of the skills I think I’d need would be patience, passion and just the skill at art. Patience is a big part because you’ll need to wait for someone to buy your art and you’ll also need to wait for something to come to mind. You’ll need passion because you have to love what you do and do what you love. If you are not happy doing something, why would you do it every day? Finally, you’re going to need good art skills to make money and do art for a living.
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UB Update
There are many jobs in the world: doctors, lawyers,
is great, but there comes a time when it’s all going to end and you’re not going to be popular or modern anymore in the entertainment industry. I think it’s very important to know who your true friends are and how to reinvent yourself to influence others in a positive way. In conclusion, if I could wake up and be anything, I would be a singer. I would do it not for the fame or money, but I’d do it knowing I have inspired somebody.
singers, anything you can think of. But I’m sure most people have heard the question, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” Every kid, every person has an idea or a dream of what they would like to be. If I could wake up tomorrow and have any job in the world, I would want to be a singer. First off, people in the entertainment business need to know how to entertain people. That could range from telling jokes or just talking to them as your friends. I think singers need to know how to relate to people and fans. They need to be able to sing, and be a little business oriented. Secondly, with these skills you need to know how to put them to use. Relating to your fans could be knowing how to write songs that anyone can relate to. For example, in interviews, being friendly and open about yourself. Then you have the talent side of you. Having the ability to sing and really sing gives you the satisfaction of letting your fans know it’s really you and not some technology singing. Then lastly, have a business oriented mind. I think every entertainer should know how to market themselves in order for their fans to really know them. I don’t think any fans want an entertainer who they look up to to not be comfortable with themselves. Next, I think there are some education that goes into being an entertainer, but more specifically a singer. You could major in songwriting, journalism, TV production, or communications, anything involving people I think would be helpful. Gaining knowledge from experiences is also helpful. Personally, I think travelling and experiencing new cultures could really develop your way of life. For example, nowadays most celebrities are going to jail, or getting out of jail. With experiencing other cultures, you see how you should really appreciate what you have and use that good and passion you put into your music into helping the less fortunate in life. Overall, I think being yourself is the most important thing. Entertaining and singing for people
UB Update
THANK YOU, GUEST PROFESSIONALS! Ms. Golia Bernacchi-Vue La Crosse School District Ms. Jenn Bushman Vitamin Studio Mr. Matt Duckett Vitamin Studio Dr. Robert Freedland, MD Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Dr. Eric Gansen, PhD UW-L Physics Department Mr. John McWilliams Dairyland Power Cooperative Ms. Lori Portner La Crosse Community Theater Ms. Connie Purcell-Krause, RN, BSN Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Ms. Arianna Saykally-McAdams New Horizons Ms. Kelsey Schwartz Habitat for Humanity Ms. Elyse Sorenson Trane Company Mr. TJ Teegan UW-L Information Technology Mr. Chad Yang Gundersen-Lutheran Health System
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October/November 2010
Por Shoua Lee (Holmen ‘04) graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison! Shoua Moua (Central ‘02) graduated from St. Cloud State University! Lee Vang (Logan ‘04) graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison!
Thank you UB grads! On Saturday, October 16, several UB grads sat in on our Academic Skills panel to talk about their college skills experiences: Kim Leitner (Holmen ‘07), Chee Lor (Holmen ‘09) and TC Yang (Central ‘01), now at UW-L and TJ Millis (Black River Falls ‘09), now at UW-Platteville.
Blia Yang (Logan ‘06) graduated from Northeastern Wisconsin Technical College! Der Yang (Logan ‘04) graduated from Viterbo University! Nou Yang (Logan ‘05) graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison!
At our October 28 visit to UW-Eau Claire, UB grads Avon Lor (Logan ‘10) and Avery Van Gaard (Central ‘10) managed to meet up with our group during the day.
Your success is our success! Every year we must report to the U.S. Department of Education about our graduates college persistence and graduation. Accurate info about your postsecondary experience and degrees will help us show how successful our program is!
Congrats to Tria Xiong (Logan ‘10), a freshman at UW-L. She won a La Crosse Rotary Club scholarship and a UW-L Chancellor’s Choice Award for the 2010-2011 school year!
Please please please email or call us when you graduate so we can keep our records up to date and share in your great news!
We’ve recently learned of new academic successes! Congratulations to these recent college graduates!
Cheng Por V = 12/2
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Ann V = 12/6
Pakouda M = 12/17
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Zach K = 12/20
Pang Jee Y = 1/8
October/November 2010
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Hai Y = 1/15
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Sheng Y = 12/11 *
Chai Y = 12/24
Mai Zoua V = 1/29
Update
S T N E R A P
The Working Student - How Much is Too Much?
U.S. high school students who also work before or after school hours spend an average of 42 minutes a day less on educational activities than nonworking students, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Many parents feel a part time job helps students learn the value of hard work and money. Others feel their teen’s nost important “job” should be doing well in school. In general, teens who work spend less time on homework, get less sleep, participate less in sports, leisure and volunteer activities and complete fewer academic credits. A study at the University of Wisconsin showed that students who work more than 10 to 15 hours per week have lower reading and math grades. How will you decide whether or not your teen should work? Here are some questions to consider: What does your teen need the money for? In many homes, teens’ wages contribute to household income. But in others, earnings are spent on cars, clothing and entertainment. Help your child create a budget and help him avoid the Car-Work-Car-Work spiral - needing a job to pay for a car, needing a car to get to work. What hours should your teen work? In most cases, ten to 15 hours per week is a good limit, especially for new workers. Many education experts recommend limiting work hours to weekends to ensure students have enough time to complete important homework assignments, participate in school activities and get enough sleep. Where should your child work? Can your teen find employment in a field that interests him? Can a part time job turn into experience that will help his college application? How are student employees treated at businesses your child is considering? Does the employer work with a student’s schedule or expect the student to work whenever needed? If scheduling is inflexible, how will that affect your child’s academic performance and development? How do student earnings affect financial aid eligibility? Seniors who will fill out the FAFSA (Free Application For Student Aid) in January, will be expected to contribute 50% of previous year earnings over about $2,200 toward college. High earnings may reduce the amount of financial aid for which a student is eligible. In the end, it’s up to parents to monitor students’ work hours and conditions. For more information visit the State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development at http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/er/ * “Employment During High School: Consequences for Students’ Grades in Reading and Mathematics” http://www.ssc.wisc.edu/cde/cdewp/96-23.pdf * Teenagers at Work: How Part-Time Jobs Affect Teen School Performance http://www.suite101.com/content/teenagers-at-work-a111658
WorkWisconsin Laws for Wisconsin Teens Department of Workforce Development Maximum Hours School Days (except last in week) Weekly (full school week) Weekly (partial school week)
14-15 year olds 3 to 4 hours 18 hours 18 to 24 hours
Permitted Time of Day School Day (except last in week)
7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
16-17 year olds 5 to 10 hours 26 to 40 hours 32 to 40 hours 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Employers subject to both federal and state laws must comply with the more stringent section of the two laws. Following the end of work, 8 hours of rest is required before the start of work the next day. http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/publications/erd/pdf/erd_9212_p.pdf
UB Update
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October/November 2010