At Joe Walker, our counseling department offers a variety of programs to students in Kindergarten through 5th Grade. Some of these programs are:
Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon week is an annual program for teachers, school administrators and students will work together to spread the message about the dangers of drug use. Joe Walker Elementary students, faculty and friends are proud to participate in a variety of activities that encourage everyone to make the right choices and say NO to drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, and violence.
We believe it is important to educate our young students on the dangers of drugs and learn early, how to make smart healthy choices. We also know that it is important for parents to start talking with their child early rather than later when it may be too late. If your child is old enough to recognize words and images associated with drugs and alcohol they are old enough to bring up the subject. Statistics show that an average boys try alcohol by the age of 11 and girls by the age 13. When parents talk to their child regularly about the dangers of drugs and alcohol abuse they lessen the chances of their child using drugs by 42%.
Stay tuned for more information that will be sent home to celebrate Red Ribbon Week in October!
Career Day
Career Day allows McGuffey students to explore career paths while meeting and interacting with professionals from local organizations and agencies.
We hold two career days a year. The first one is for grades K-2, and it's a "Touch a Truck" theme. The second one is for the 3rd through 5th experience, a themed traditional career day where they rotate through presenters. Both Career Days are held annually in May. Please contact Joe Walker's guidance office if you want to be a presenter.
Junior Achievement Day
This is an all-day event for Kindergarten through 5th grade, which creates an opportunity for area business leaders, community members and volunteers to impact student lives by spending one day in the elementary school classrooms. The volunteers must have their 3 clearances and will serve as role models, sharing experiences and information while presenting the Junior Achievement activities focusing on entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy. If you are interested in being a volunteer, please contact the guidance office.
JA BizTown
JA BizTown is a mini-city housing variety of storefronts from Southwestern Pennsylvania area businesses. Students, 4th and 5th grade, participate in the JA BizTown program complete 16 lessons taught in the classroom. Classroom lessons prepare students to take on the challenge of working in the community, running a business, and managing their personal and business finances. Classroom preparation also encompasses career exploration, applying for a job, and job interviews.
? After completion of the classroom curriculum, students will take on the task of running JA BizTown for the day. As part of the program, we will spend the day at the JA BizTown site in Bridgeville, on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. Permission slips will be sent home the week of May 15, 2023.
? A trip to JA BizTown is an exhilarating five-hour simulated workday experience for students as they immerse themselves in the role of JA BizTown citizens for the day. Students take on the employment role of a business team member, in addition to participating in the BizTown economy as a consumer during their lunch and shopping breaks. Each student will take part in performing a job as an employee of one of the following companies;
#1 COCHRAN, 100.7 STAR, ACE HARDWARE, ALCOSAN, ANSYS,, BURNS & SCALO, CALGON CARBON, CLEARVIEW FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, COMCAST, FEDEX GROUND, GIANT EAGLE, GORDON FOOD SERVICE, HIGHMARK, KOPPERS, MASCARO, PPG PAINTS, UPMC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL, VECTOR SECURITY, SHEETZ, and CITY HALL.
What students learn as members of a business team:
? To responsibly manage staff, financial resources, inventories and customers.
? To work as a team.
? To account for business expenses and still take in enough money to make a profit.
? To balance their professional and personal responsibilities.
What students learn as consumers or customers:
? To make wise financial decisions.
? To write checks, manage a debit card and balance a checkbook.
? To make deposits into their bank accounts.
? To understand their relationship, as consumers, to the economy.