Students get hands-on experience
Work it’s all in the eye of the beholder.
That seemed to be one of the lessons learned around Lawrence as part of the 10th annual Take Our Daughters to Work Day.
Douglas County Bank’s main office at Ninth and Kentucky streets was full of young ladies and a few young men who came to work with their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and other family members.
Jan Culbertson, a 30-year veteran of the bank, knew what she was expecting her granddaughter to learn as part of the day, which nationally is sponsored by the Ms. Foundation.
“Hopefully it shows that work is not all fun and games,” Culbertson said.
“No grandma, actually it is all fun and games,” said Caroline Culbertson, a third-grade student at Deerfield School.
Caroline Culbertson said she had a good time in the bank’s proof room making copies of checks, and said the day was “way funner” than school.
New York (ap) Starting next year, boys will get to punch the clock, too.After a decade of successfully promoting “Take Our Daughters to Work Day,” its feminist organizers said they will open the annual event to sons as well.Thursday was the 10th and final daughters-only day. In April 2003, the Ms. Foundation for Women will promote “Take Our Daughters & Sons to Work Day.””It’s a work in progress in terms of the details, but not in terms of the aim, which is creating truly equitable workplaces,” Marie Wilson, the foundation president, said.She said the new initiative, like its predecessor, would highlight career opportunities, but also would include a new emphasis on the challenges of balancing work and family. Background materials for the program will be distributed to businesses and schools this fall.
Parents, though, were still optimistic the day was providing valuable lessons.
“I think it gives a good opportunity for our children and grandchildren and other special people to see what we do on a daily basis,” said Cathy Brittain, one of the organizers of the bank’s activity, which attracted about 20 students. “And I’m hoping it will give them some respect for adults and respect for what the working world is about. Maybe it will make them want to stay in school and reach their full potential.”
It did for some. Trevor Leslie, a third-grade student at Quail Run School, said he learned there was too much math for him to be a banker and he realized that going to school every day may be a better deal than going to work every day like his mom, Peggy Leslie.
“At school you get to learn lots of stuff,” Trevor Leslie said. “Mom probably doesn’t even get to go outside.”
Trevor Leslie was one of about five young boys at the bank who took part in the day. Next year the national organization will begin officially encouraging parents to take their sons to work as well.
Douglas County Bank wasn’t the only Lawrence business participating in the day. At the Etc. Shop, 928 Mass., owner Linda Lester said she was impressed with her young help, Jaymie Hardtarfer, a sixth-grade student at Wakarusa Valley School and daughter of an employee of the store.
“She was busy all day doing things,” Lester said. “She’ll be good help when she gets a little older.”