WSU GEAR UP and Kiona Benton MS held their first Family Math Night, Rolling with Math. The evening started with pizza and a presentation by Becky Wilson.  The presentation focused on the importance and prevalence of math.   Many students rolled their eyes while GEAR UP and Ki-Be promoted math games, doubting that it would have the fun factor.  As the night got rolling over 100 attendees made their way to the games. 

The games were created and presented by Ki-Be math teachers.  Each game asked the families to work together as a team.  As families began to play, student doubt began to fade.  There was frustration, laughter and success as the games challenged each group.  As the night came to an end one parent noted, “I got to play games with my kid and I even learned something.”  The following morning a parent reported that when they got home their child wanted to continue playing math games.  The parent finally had to call it a night but promised to play more math games at home.

A special thank you to those who helped set up, promote, and attended; including, the student leaders from the Aric Bostick camp, Camp of Champs.

Working with Justin and seeing him grow as a person and tutor has been a pleasure for all who work with him. His maturity, leadership ability, and constant desire to improve himself has made him irreplaceable.

Justin, thank you for all the hard work and dedication you bring to the students, teachers, and GEAR UP program!

Sixth grader, Sierra Stephens, was nominated by GEAR UP staff at FMS for Student of the Month during the ’08-’09 school year.  Sierra always had a positive attitude.  Along with her great outlook towards school, she possessed great organizational and time management skills.  Sierra was conscientious about keeping up on her homework and checking her grades on Skyward, our school district’s online grading system.  Her willingness to help was always appreciated!  Sierra, however, also struggled with some math concepts.  After persistently trying her best, she would always ask for help when she didn’t understand something.  Tutors Betty White and Linda Ames were a big help to her in the after-school program.  Mrs. Ames spent many hours helping Sierra understand the concepts in math that were hard for her.  And, she didn’t quit when homework time was over.  She often went back to the library after snack time to complete any unfinished work.   Sierra was also willing to help other students study or learn concepts towards good citizenship and learning.  Sierra’s experience with Frontier’s GEAR UP tutors, coupled with her own initiative and tenacity, may just be the reason for her success today as a seventh grader!

The GEAR UP program at Pasco High School has been fortunate to have wonderful tutors on staff.  One such tutor is Karina Arteaga.  Karina started with the GEAR UP program last year.  Now, as a second year tutor she has been a strong example to the new hires and continues to be a person that we can continually rely on. 

Most of her time is spent in 9^th and 10^th grade math classrooms and she tutors during Saturday School as well.  She jumps at the chance to chaperone on field trips and she frequently volunteers to input program data.  Helpful, reliable, and positive; she never allows excuses from the students that she works with.  She genuinely cares about every student and expects nothing less than their best.  Constantly, Karina goes above and beyond the call of duty and we are thankful to have her on board.  She is a pleasure to work with and we are proud to call her “our” GEAR UP tutor. 

This brief article concerns the importance of GEAR UP tutor Mr. Steve Selk and his interaction with students here at St. John-Endicott High School. As a GEAR UP Site Director/Tutor he spends time on a daily basis, as his schedule permits, with my geometry class, comprised solely of sophomores. Mr. Selk has a great appreciation for the subject of mathematics. Because of his great interest, quick ability to learn, and strong connection with the students, Mr. Selk has been able to help and lead students toward understanding in a way that I cannot. They listen closely to his suggestions as he provides abundant one-on-one assistance. Steve possesses many qualities I feel contribute to his strengths as a tutor. He is positive, always friendly and smiling, patient, a good listener, intelligent, accessible, and always encourages students. For the reasons listed here, I feel very fortunate to have Steve’s input and his valuable assistance with the students in my geometry class, as they are mostly students who have traditionally struggled with mathematics. Steve Selk is an incredible asset to our entire learning environment here at St. John-Endicott High School.

317 Clarkston High School freshman and sophomores took the Pre-Standardized Achievement Test (PSAT) on October 14th, 2009.  The PSAT is a program cosponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). It is a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT, a test that is often required for acceptance into college.  It also gave students a chance to enter NMSC scholarship programs and gain access to college and career planning tools.  Clarkston GEAR UP covered the $13 fee per test so that every freshman and sophomore could receive the opportunity to take this test.