Cuivre River Electric Cooperative Educational Programs
Back To School
Safety, leadership remain top educational priorities
As a new school year gets underway, Cuivre River representatives look forward to bringing safety education and youth leadership opportunities into local classrooms, and meeting thousands of fresh faces in Lincoln, Pike, St. Charles and Warren counties.
"Education and Concern for Communities are two core Cooperative Principles," says Manager of Communications Mary Jane Clark. "We're pleased to provide programs for our schools and community organizations. We look forward to another good year," she adds.
The Year in Review
Hot Line Electric Safety demonstrations were provided by Central Electric Power Cooperative (CEPC), in partnership with Cuivre River, to 46 different elementary schools during the past school year. More than 4,600 fourth-grade students received important electrical safety information. Programs for emergency responders and civic groups provided electric safety education to 555 adults.
Fifth-grade students were invited to recall and illustrate safety messages in Cuivre River's annual Safety Poster Contest. Last year 519 students from 39 classrooms in 16 different schools joined the competition. CFL Charlie energy education kits were offered to teachers in conjunction with the poster competition.
Arbor Day events in Troy, Wentzville and Wright City took tree care and electric safety messages to 250 students who helped plant trees at their schools.
Visits to high school students and faculty at 15 schools provided information about cooperatives, democratic principles, leadership and scholarship opportunities for Sophomore and Junior students.
Youth Tour essays about the relevance of cooperative principles today came from 355 students. Six Juniors who were top Youth Tour finalists visited Washington, D.C.; other finalists received Leadership Scholarships. Six top Sophomore CYCLE applicants learned about the legislative process at the state capitol.
Cuivre River Youth Tour Delegates, now seniors, visited the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., during the National Youth Tour conference this summer. They are (L-R): Ellyn Bruckerhoff and Zach Brown, Clopton HS; Megan Costello, Warrenton HS; Bethany Reller, Winfield HS; Emily Wynn, Christian HS; and Amy Koonce, Troy Buchanan HS.
The action-packed conference was filled with opportunities to learn about politics, cooperatives, community service and current events. Highlights included a special session with Senator Christopher Bond and visits with Congressmen Todd Akin and Blaine Luetkemeyer. Since 1964, Cuivre River has sponsored 178 Youth Tour delegates.
Cuivre River CYCLE Delegates, now juniors, visited the Missouri State Capitol, Jefferson City, during the Cooperative Youth Conference and Leadership Experience (CYCLE) this summer. They are (L-R) Christian Jacquez, Defiance; Jazmin Gac, Louisiana; Jimmy Copher, Troy; Jill Jarvis, Marthasville; Benjamin Bruckerhoff, Elsberry; and Abbey Franklin, Silex.
CYCLE, now in its seventh year, provides students they opportunity to learn first-hand about government, politics, community service, today’s pressing issues, the cooperative form of business and being a leader.
Operation Round Up funded scholarships for 80 undergraduate students in November and June (related story and latest photos inside front and back cover of the September 2010 Current Times).
New in 2010-2011: Energy efficiency education is now offered to students in middle school and junior high, expanding the range of programs CEPC and Cuivre River provide to help teachers meet key instructional targets for Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) testing.
Like homework assignments, program deadlines begin to loom when school is in session.
October 1 is the scholarship deadline for students who will enroll in January college classes.
October 29 is the due date for fifth-grade Safety Poster Contest entries (story at right).
Both Hot Line Electric Safety and Energy Efficiency schedules are also filling the 2010-2011 school calendar. Programs are scheduled throughout the year.
"We're happy to provide these opportunities and resources for as many schools as we can," says Clark. To inquire about programs contact the following Cuivre River and CEPC representatives:
- Hot Line Safety Program: Keith Mueller, CEPC Education Specialist, 573.761.2844
- Energy Efficiency Program: Stan Varner, CEPC Education Specialist, 573.761.2844
- Arbor Day Program: Scott Skopec, CREC Right of Way Dept., 800.392.3709, ext. 247
- Safety Poster Contest, CFL Charlie Energy Education Kits, Youth Tour, CYCLE, Scholarships: Lonnie Tucker, CREC Communications Specialist, 800.392.3709, ext. 230