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Petersburg highlights 8-day Community Builders "builders hub" summer program, including teen bank accounts and campus visits
Summary
The board heard details of an 8-day immersive summer exposure program funded by a Community Builders grant. The program includes career-exploration activities, entrepreneurship pitches, trips to Virginia State University, a credit-union visit where teen accounts will be opened (a $25 match offered), mental-health workshops, and a culminating student showcase. Staff will return with a fuller budget report in September.
The district's family engagement team presented an eight-day immersive "builders hub" summer program designed to expose students to careers, college and community resources.
"If they can see it, they can pursue it," Dr. Brandy Lee told the board while describing vision-board projects, entrepreneurship "Shark Tank" pitches, and field experiences. The program began the week of the board meeting and served 16 students in the initial cohort; staff described the experience as a pilot intended to be scaled.
Program highlights
- Day activities included identity and vision-board work, mentoring and entrepreneurship sessions, community-based field experiences, archery and outdoor equity activities, and financial-literacy sessions in partnership with a local credit union. - At the credit-union visit, teens will be offered the opportunity to open youth accounts; the branch will match a $25 opening deposit for participating students so they start with funds in their accounts. - Additional partners include Virginia State University for a campus tour, Collegiate Connections for entrepreneurship work, Thrive Collective for mental-health and coping skills sessions, and local businesses for exposure experiences.
Evaluation and budget
Staff will measure impact using attendance, behavioral data and pre/post surveys asking whether students can name career interests, believe they have a bright future and feel comfortable seeking adult support. Dr. Lee said the budget presented is tentative and that staff will return in September with a more detailed budget accounting.
Board response
Board members praised the program, asked about collaboration with Rowan Oak (the demonstration site for the grant), and volunteered to contribute local-history content and in-person support. Superintendent and staff confirmed Petersburg is participating as a demonstration partner while Rowan Oak remains the demonstration site under the legislation.
Ending: District staff characterized the program as a promising pilot to expand student exposure to college and careers; they will refine budget and scale options for board review.
