News from the
COLLEGE & CAREER ACADEMIES
OF PROVISO WEST
Future-focused. Confident. Prepared.
VOLUME 1 | ISSUE 4 | MAY 2019
What are the College & Career Academies of Proviso West?
Beginning in the fall of 2019, The College & Career Academies of Proviso West will prepare students to confidently pursue the post-secondary training and career path of their choosing in a globally competitive society. Driven by student interest and workforce projections, our Academies provide access to authentic, hands-on learning experiences that cultivate social and emotional well-being through teamwork, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. 

Within our three College & Career Academies, all students choose a program of study comprised of academically rigorous core subjects and specialized courses in their career area of interest. Students will progress through their Academy with peers who share similar interests and a common team of teachers, which builds camaraderie and a culture of belonging. 
 
In summary, The College & Career Academies of Proviso West provide students access to: 
  • Relevant and rigorous curriculum and instruction
  • Increased community and business engagement 
  • Opportunities for professional certifications 
  • 21st century skills such as leadership, civic literacy, social responsibility, global and cultural awareness, communication, problem solving, and technological literacy 
  • Opportunities to form closer relationships with teachers and advisors 
  • Practical work experience through job shadowing and internships 
  • Opportunities to learn in the context of an industry or subject theme 
  • Preparation for career success through both formal education and life experience 

The College & Career Academies at Proviso West include the Freshman Success Academy (FSA) and the three college and career academies beginning in the sophomore year:

Wellness & Society Academy (WSA)

Technology & Innovation Academy (TIA)

Global Business Academy (GBA)

For additional information about each Academy, click 'Learn More' below and look for an Academy spotlight in each Academy Newsletter!
Introducing our NEW College & Career Academy logos!
Transforming Academics at Proviso West with the International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme
The International Baccalaureate (IB) was founded in 1968 and is currently in place in over 4,000 schools worldwide, including PMSA. The IB is well known for the quality of its education. Per IB’s mission statement, “The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.”

There are two programs offered by IB at the high school level: the Diploma Programme (IBDP) and the Career-related Programme (IBCP). Both programs go beyond typical curricula by requiring students to construct their own knowledge through problem-based and experiential learning activities, develop and use strong analytic skills to draw conclusions, and apply the knowledge they have gained in real-world situations, always with a view to community involvement and global implications.

Subject to PTHS D209 Board of Education approval and authorization from IB, Proviso West looks forward to offering the class of 2023 an opportunity to join our first IBCP cohort in the fall of 2021! The Career-related Programme will support the school’s transformation efforts and goal to increase levels of college and career readiness by increasing the rigor, relevance, and connection between the academic core and career-related study.

Students who apply to join the IBCP can expect to engage in a rigorous set of courses and
experiences their junior and senior years. These courses will include:
  • At least two courses from the Diploma Programme
  • At least two courses from their chosen career academy program of study
  • One course in personal and professional skill development

In addition, students will experience service-learning initiatives, a reflective project, and
world language development.

Be on the lookout for opportunities to participate in the development of the IBCP at Proviso West!
Chamber Town Brings Financial Literacy to Life
On April 23rd, the Freshman Success Academy welcomed Junior Achievement and volunteers from the Bellwood Chamber of Commerce for Chamber Town, an educational experience where students learned to navigate through life’s expenses and develop a budget reflective of their financial goals. In the simulation, over 500 students from the Freshman Success Academy received Occupation Cards and observed how different types of jobs provide varied monthly salaries. Based on the monthly salary on their card, students evaluated the opportunity cost when making budgetary decisions regarding childcare, insurance, food, housing, utilities, entertainment, and other categories. Many freshmen reported that this was the first time they were exposed to the concept of personal finance and budgeting - an important skill to master for financial independence after high school. We are grateful to Asia Ousley (Junior Achievement), Christopher Parker (Proviso Community Bank), Lorenzo Webber (Proviso Township), and all of our knowledgeable community volunteers for the gift of their time! We look forward to making this a yearly activity!
Building Camaraderie at Academy Declaration Day 2019!
Academy Declaration Day on May 1st was an awesome opportunity for students in each College & Career Academy to unite as a cohort and participate in team building activities. The Wellness & Society Academy, Technology & Innovation Academy, and Global Business Academy cohorts enjoyed rotating through stations requiring team work, trust, creativity, and a hint of competitive spirit before receiving a t-shirt with their Academy logo on the back!
A group of 10 students successfully completing a team building challenge requiring them to lift a ball above their heads using bungee cords on an unstable base.
Students in the Wellness & Society Academy strategically assemble pieces of their Academy logo at one of the Declaration Day stations.
Our AMAZING NJROTC students led all of the activities at Academy Declaration Day! They started their morning by experiencing, first-hand, the difficulty of the Human Knot!
Alumni Profile: Temitope Oshinbanjo
Gra duated from West: 2016
College Attended: University of Dubuque
College Major: Computer Information Systems
Celebrating College Graduation: May 2020
Greek life & College Activities: U of D ROTC Cadet SFC Oshinbanjo, Dubuque Young Men and Women Christian Association (YMCA) Volunteer Swim Coach , African Student Association Member (ASA), former member of the UD track team
What he is proud of: Awarded the Dean's Scholarship and the Major General Francis Kelly Leadership Award in 2019. I twice completed the Mountain Man Memorial Marathon in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee.
Encouraging Words: The motivation for success and willingness starts with you. Don't spend what your pocket cannot afford. Do not depend too much on people. Be prepared to fail - what you do in that moment, good or bad, will make you a better person. Life is not a one way street .
How he successfully navigated college: I joined the ARMY ROTC program to help pay for college. I was broke, living off Ramen Noodles, and I basically signed my life away to the government. I also wanted to serve my country. All the scholarships I received went straight to school. As time progressed, I developed the mental agility to wake up everyday at 5am for physical training for the Army. I also developed great relationships with my battle buddies. I stay positive and motivated in everything I do starting from waking up in the morning to working at Menards until 10pm. I had to develop a tough mental, physical, and positive relationship with myself.
Coolest thing he did while in college: Graduated from the Army Air Assault School at Fort Campbell. Doing cool things like repelling off a tower and a helicopter. Riding in the helicopter was also really cool. I also went to Thailand for a 30 days on a mission all funded by the Army while I was getting paid to do it. The best of all was completing an ARMY Cyber Internship at West Point.
Plans for the future: To be commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the ARMY as a Cyber Officer

We are so proud of you, Temi!
Attention class of 2022 and 2023: Sign up for this amazing summer opportunity!
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE
CLASS OF 2019!
Graduation Ceremony
UIC Pavilion
Sunday, May 19, 2019
5:00 p.m.
Follow us on social media!
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Kate Foster | College & Career Academy Coordinator
Direct: 708.202.6501 | Cell: 708.616.4276 | katefoster@pths209.org