This year, at Booker Middle in Sarasota County, there will be a larger emphasis on preparing kids for college and future careers.
A room called, "The Cube" opened on Monday for the approximately 800 students at Booker Middle. The idea is to get students thinking about what job they may want to have as adults. The room has laptops, computers, white boards, desks, and sitting areas. Decorations include college flags and colorful, inspiring wall paintings. Students will be able to research colleges and use computer programs to learn about their strengths and weaknesses.
Nicholas Termine is the Career Administrator at Booker Middle School. He explained that staff at Booker Middle want students to get a chance to learn about themselves and build on their strengths and talents. They also place a lot of emphasis on building up first generation college students. They want children with parents and/or grandparents without college experience to know it can be in their reach.
This is the "Cube" in Booker Middle. The reason this room was created & how it helps students on #GMTB @abcactionnews @sarasotaschools pic.twitter.com/pq1Y5r0YY4
— Lauren St. Germain (@LaurenWFTS) August 14, 2017
"We are here to show them that if they develop themselves and work on themselves in a positive manner, there is a career that can work for them and their future families," said Termine.
Both parents and students can use the cube, which administrators hope will break the second generation poverty cycle.
The Education Foundation of Sarasota County worked closely with Booker Middle School principal Dr. LaShawn Frost, to create The Cube. The Education Foundation tells ABC Action News that software in The Cube was made possible thanks to generous donors and community partners. The Cube at Booker Middle is now a model for future College and Career Centers in Sarasota County. Currently, the Education Foundation is working to get funding for two other centers at North Port High School and Riverview High School.
