Newsletters

The Community Action Specialist

This year, the Community Action Specialists (CAS) have been conducting universal parent workshops accessible to the families at each site. The workshops were developed during the summer of 2003 in order to make families aware to the critical importance of the tenth grade year for those students with future college aspirations. CAS have hosted a number of meetings providing vital information to students and parents alike in areas such as the benefits of college and tips to parents in providing a “college-going” environment. Parents depend on CAS to serve as a liaison between the schools and the provision of information on special events, meetings, tests, and deadlines. Also, CAS provide parents with pertinent information regarding GEAR UP students and their academic performance. The GEAR UP team and many school faculty members have utilized the CAS skills to help encourage participation for important school events that require parental attendance. They also depend on CAS to serve as translators for different school events in which, parents speak little or no English.

Although the CAS struggles to maintain parent participation on a consistent basis, the parents, nonetheless, continue to show gratitude. Sincere appreciation by the parents, principals, and faculty for CAS’s genuine efforts and heartfelt dedication is demonstrated often. The CAS are truly the wind beneath GEAR UP’s wings. Deep thanks are in order for their commitment and determination to the students, parents, schools, and community.

School of the Month: The Warriors

Yerba Buena has faced numerous challenges in the beginning of the 2003-04’ school year one being the significant staff changes at the site. Yerba Buena’s new staff quickly adapted and adjusted to their environment exhibiting great enthusiasm. Marisa Pacelli, the Site Director, took charge by establishing relationships with Yerba Buena faculty and administrators. Although this is Marisa’s first year as a Site Director, she was very familiar with the operations of the GEAR UP program due to her prior training and experiences as a counselor at Andrew Hill High School. Despite the challenges, Marisa worked diligently to develop a solid foundation for the new GEAR UP team at Yerba Buena. Consequently, the school now benefits from her hard work.

The next challenge the new team encountered at Yerba Buena was getting to know the GEAR UP students and building a rapport with them in little time. With help from the CAS, Rita Luna, and taking a chance with creative tactics in recruiting students, the GEAR UP counselors were able to win the students over. In less then four months, the new staff has developed meaningful relationships with faculty and students. Student and parent participation in all programs have increased in the last four months.

The GEAR UP team at Yerba Buena has definitely proven to be “warriors” in minimal time through perseverance and hard work.

GEAR UP Fundraisers in Works!

Currently, GEAR UP has several fundraisers in process for our program. These fundraisers will be utilized for scholarships accessible to GEAR UP students who have shown achievement in the program. With the help of other organizations and support from the community, parents, students and staff, GEAR UP hopes to raise enough money to provide financial assistance to prospective college students.

Moreover, Community Leaders at the Service of Society (CLASS), which is a world-class management-consulting firm for community service organizations, will provide support for public relations materials. CLASS plans to help with key elements of the GEAR UP program, such as improving the website, increase outside awareness of GEAR UP, and help sell GEAR UP to other agencies or organizations for potential partnering.

GEAR UP is also making use of Albertson’s Preferred Savings program. Supporters can fill out an Albertson’s form, which records their Preferred Savings card number.When a GEAR UP registered customer uses their Albertson’s Preferred Savings Card at any Albertson’s location GEAR UP will get monthly proceeds of what is spent. Everyone should look into participating in this fantastic opportunity!

Other fundraisers in the works are a fundraising dinner to be held at a local restaurant in the community. Proceeds from participants on a particular date will go to the GEAR UP program. Also schools are planning on doing a Scratch & Raise with the GEAR UP Club on each campus. This fundraiser is similar to playing the lottery. Participants scratch a spot on the card at least twice and will have to donate the indicated amount to the program as a result – a fun, innovative way to contribute.

Volume 1, Issue 1 February 2004	GEAR UP 2003-2004: Bringing the New School Year In with a BANG! GEAR UP program administrators have introduced a number of innovative and exciting programs for the 2003-2004 academic year with the intention of energizing and improving the existing GEAR UP. One of the main goals has been to standardize the programs across the four sites, (Andrew Hill, Independence, Yerba Buena, and Overfelt). The driving force behind these changes is the desire to make the program more universally appealing to students, parents, schools and the community. Although instituting the changes has proven to be a challenging transition, assuredly these improvements will yield many benefits for all those involved. GEAR UP programs have been operating in four underperforming East Side Union High Schools (and their feeder schools) since 1999. Through the GEAR UP program, the progress of a group of students from their freshmen through sophomore year has been successfully tracked. As a result, the GEAR UP team has been able to assess those programs that do well and those that do not. Furthermore, through taking risks and unwavering determination, the GEAR UP team has discovered key fundamental steps to focus on the number one client— the STUDENT! One of the major changes has included transitioning the program from a day time to an evening one. The catalyst behind this change was the intent to minimize student pullouts during the school day and increase both student and family access and participation at more convenient times. Additionally, this year several standardized, after school programs (such as tutorials, E-mentoring, Girls/Guys support groups, and GEAR Up Clubs) have been employed at each site. Also, new evening programs, which include family meetings, home visits, and parent workshops have been put into action to further support the needs of the student. The programs are held between 6-8 pm. In addition to the introduction of novel programs, our historic Saturday Program has offered students relevant courses such as PSAT, CAHSEE preparation, as well as reading and math sessions. A restructured and revamped mentoring program which is intertwined in our Saturday Program, and under new coordination, has been implemented. The program runs two Saturdays a month and is facilitated by volunteer mentors from the community offering diverse perspectives and welcomed support. Top Field Trip to San Jose State University College awareness has always played an important part in the GEAR UP program. In connection with this core belief, GEAR UP collaborated with East Side Union High Schools and Cal Soap in recruiting fifty-six active GEAR UP students for a day long workshop called Transfer: Making it Happen. This field trip offered students an opportunity to visit San Jose State University on Wednesday, January 7th, including taking part in workshops promoting college preparation and a personalized awareness of the college culture. Cal Soap facilitated the student workshops and provided student s with materials useful throughout their college application process. These materials, in the form of file folders, will aid in the organization and maintenance of letters of recommendations, transcripts, college and financial aid information. Undoubtedly, the field trip to San Jose State University was an invaluable and informative experience for the students.

	The Community Action Specialist This year, the Community Action Specialists (CAS) have been conducting universal parent workshops accessible to the families at each site. The workshops were developed during the summer of 2003 in order to make families aware to the critical importance of the tenth grade year for those students with future college aspirations. CAS have hosted a number of meetings providing vital information to students and parents alike in areas such as the benefits of college and tips to parents in providing a “college-going” environment. Parents depend on CAS to serve as a liaison between the schools and the provision of information on special events, meetings, tests, and deadlines. Also, CAS provide parents with pertinent information regarding GEAR UP students and their academic performance. The GEAR UP team and many school faculty members have utilized the CAS skills to help encourage participation for important school events that require parental attendance. They also depend on CAS to serve as translators for different school events in which, parents speak little or no English. Although the CAS struggles to maintain parent participation on a consistent basis, the parents, nonetheless, continue to show gratitude. Sincere appreciation by the parents, principals, and faculty for CAS’s genuine efforts and heartfelt dedication is demonstrated often. The CAS are truly the wind beneath GEAR UP’s wings. Deep thanks are in order for their commitment and determination to the students, parents, schools, and community.
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	New & Improved Mentoring Program GEAR UP has brought in several new volunteer mentors to each of the four sites for the new semester while many of the initial mentors have decided to stay on and extend their commitments into the next semester. Furthermore, one unique element for the GEAR UP mentoring program this year is that mentor volunteers represent a diverse population that is rich with knowledge and life experiences. With such gifted mentors, the students will gain in immeasurable ways. The dedication and personal investment of time by the mentors is priceless for the success of GEAR UP. Though these volunteers could be using their leisure time in other ways, they choose to give back to their communities. Their contribution to the program, to the schools, and most importantly, to the lives of the students must surely be recognized. What’s Happening with GEAR Up Nationally? After attending two GEAR UP conferences this school year a better look at what is happening with GEAR UP on a national level has been made possible. A great deal of information was provided, highlighting very important issues (such as funding for future years of GEAR UP programs, sustainability, and collecting and evaluating data for the annual APR’s). One of the most exciting discoveries from the conference is the plan to appropriate $298.2 million for GEAR UP 1999 grantees insuring services to twelfth graders. This is a good indication that some interest exists at the national level in continuing the GEAR UP program in the future. For more information on GEAR UP nationally visit www.ed.gov/programs/gearup/index.html

	Action Centered Teaching Strategies Action Centered Teaching Strategies (ACTS) are multi-modal teaching and learning techniques derived from the study of Psychodrama, Sociodrama, and Group Process. The ACTS institute has been training educators, counselors, parents, and students for the past ten years in the Bay Area. It is GEAR UP’s goal to increase accessibility to the school curriculum for students of all learning styles and abilities thus assuring academic achievement. Currently, GEAR UP is only a 5– 6 year grant working with a specific cohort of students. One of the main goals is to produce sustainability. By offering ACTS courses to the participating high school and middle school teachers, a valuable teaching technique will be embedded long after the grant ends. Although GEAR UP will since be long gone, in spirit it will remain with the students. Therefore, spread the word about the ACTS Institute to be apart of a positive movement to educate teachers and students in a unique, interactive way! **C.E.U available upon request. Teachers who attend from GEAR UP Schools and are new to the training will receive a $1,000 stipend. Dates: March 4-May 5, 2004 Thursday evenings, 3:30–7:30 pm For more information contact Rachel Sievert at rachelann@gearup2006.org or 408-924-3906 Action Centered Teaching Strategies Institute San Jose State University 400 Sweeney Hall San Jose Ca, 95192
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	School of the Month: The Warriors Yerba Buena has faced numerous challenges in the beginning of the 2003-04’ school year one being the significant staff changes at the site. Yerba Buena’s new staff quickly adapted and adjusted to their environment exhibiting great enthusiasm. Marisa Pacelli, the Site Director, took charge by establishing relationships with Yerba Buena faculty and administrators. Although this is Marisa’s first year as a Site Director, she was very familiar with the operations of the GEAR UP program due to her prior training and experiences as a counselor at Andrew Hill High School. Despite the challenges, Marisa worked diligently to develop a solid foundation for the new GEAR UP team at Yerba Buena. Consequently, the school now benefits from her hard work. The next challenge the new team encountered at Yerba Buena was getting to know the GEAR UP students and building a rapport with them in little time. With help from the CAS, Rita Luna, and taking a chance with creative tactics in recruiting students, the GEAR UP counselors were able to win the students over. In less then four months, the new staff has developed meaningful relationships with faculty and students. Student and parent participation in all programs have increased in the last four months. The GEAR UP team at Yerba Buena has definitely proven to be “warriors” in minimal time through perseverance and hard work.

	GEAR UP Fundraisers in Works! Currently, GEAR UP has several fundraisers in process for our program. These fundraisers will be utilized for scholarships accessible to GEAR UP students who have shown achievement in the program. With the help of other organizations and support from the community, parents, students and staff, GEAR UP hopes to raise enough money to provide financial assistance to prospective college students. Moreover, Community Leaders at the Service of Society (CLASS), which is a world-class management-consulting firm for community service organizations, will provide support for public relations materials. CLASS plans to help with key elements of the GEAR UP program, such as improving the website, increase outside awareness of GEAR UP, and help sell GEAR UP to other agencies or organizations for potential partnering. GEAR UP is also making use of Albertson’s Preferred Savings program. Supporters can fill out an Albertson’s form, which records their Preferred Savings card number.When a GEAR UP registered customer uses their Albertson’s Preferred Savings Card at any Albertson’s location GEAR UP will get monthly proceeds of what is spent. Everyone should look into participating in this fantastic opportunity! Other fundraisers in the works are a fundraising dinner to be held at a local restaurant in the community. Proceeds from participants on a particular date will go to the GEAR UP program. Also schools are planning on doing a Scratch & Raise with the GEAR UP Club on each campus. This fundraiser is similar to playing the lottery. Participants scratch a spot on the card at least twice and will have to donate the indicated amount to the program as a result – a fun, innovative way to contribute. For more information on GEAR UP Fundraisers please contact Shannon Sakamoto at 408-924-3652 or Shannon@gearup2006.org
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