What did you learn at GEAR UP West?

 

Please share one or two ideas or resources you learned about at GEAR UP West, especially for coordinators who couldn't attend!  Add it in the comments section below.

What did you learn at the National Conference?

The GEAR UP National Conference in San Francisco featured almost 150 educational sessions, plus inspiring and informative plenary sessions.

For those who attended, take a minute to think of one thing (or one resource) that will be helpful in your GEAR UP work this year and share it in the comments below.

And for those of you who couldn't make it, read along to learn about new ideas or resources!

Promising Practice Presentations

Back by popular demand, each cluster will present a “promising practice” at the SUCCESS Retreat. Your cluster will have 15 minutes to present and 5 minutes for Q&A. Try to come up with something original, or a new twist on an old idea.

• The presentations will have a “breakout” format on Friday morning, with 4 clusters assigned to a room as one breakout. Your team can (and should) divide up to cover as many rooms as possible.
• Download the Promising Practices form to be completed and returned to Anne by April 15th. By completing the form, you should be well on your way to having a presentation put together! AND, Dana will use these forms to generate your cluster’s entry for the annual report. 
• The completed forms and any accompanying documents will be posted so that the information can be shared across all GEAR UP schools. So, if you have more than one promising practice to share, feel free to complete more than one form. 
• Return completed form and accompanying documents to anne_stephens@ous.edu by April 15th.

Notes:

• Coordinators do not have to be the one to present. If there is someone better suited, let him/her do it.
• Call or e-mail Anne with questions!

What is one thing you learned at GEAR UP West?

The Oregon contingent made a fine showing at the GEAR UP West Conference in Seattle!

Take a minute to think about what you learned and share it in the comments below for the benefit of all GEAR UP coordinators. Specifically:

What is one thing you learned at a session or in conversation with other attendees?

How will you incorporate that at your school or in your GEAR UP work?

Ford Friendraisers

A Friendraiser is an event that brings together the schools and the community to learn more about GEAR UP, get people excited/involved (e.g. sign up some guest speakers, mentors, or volunteers) and introduce the concept of developing a college-going culture.  For example, North Douglas hosted an end-of-year celebration with middle and high school students, parents and community members that included a lunch BBQ and a prize raffle for students and parents who had participated in GEAR UP activities during  the year.

What did you learn in DC?

Oregon had a strong showing at the National GEAR UP Conference in Washington D.C. this week (just ask the folks who had to dodge flying hazelnuts!)

So, take a minute to think about what you learned (other than we love Oregon for not having the humidity of the east coast!) and share it in the comments below for the benefit of all GEAR UP coordinators. Specifically:

What is one thing you learned at a session or in conversation with other attendees?

How will you incorporate that at your school or in your GEAR UP work?

Promising Practices and Annual Report

It's that time again - to compile all of your awesome stories, photos, quotes, and general successes for the 2011-2012 GEAR UP Annual Report!

The Promising Practice you presented on at SUCCESS will serve as the basis for your school's write up, as well as information from the Events & Cost Share Tracker and other sources. Therefore, please send the following to dana_beck@ous.edu by June 1:

• Promising Practice sheet. Feel free to fill out more than one, and send along additional information, templates, power points etc.
• Photos (with Photo Releases)
• Quotes from teachers, students, parents and yourself
• Any other information you might want us to include!

See what we have received from you already, and what we're still missing.

For inspiration, check out examples of past year's Annual Reports.

Promising Practice: Coffenberry Middle School 5 R Contests

Students and teachers at Coffenberry Middle School have an opportunity to earn prizes and recognition while focusing on the 5 R's with a series of contests at their school. From an essay contest on Rigor to a Homeroom Door Decorating contest just in time for the holidays (see photos - also emulated at Taft 7-12 and other schools), the school is visibly showing a college-going culture! Check out the flyers and information they use in order to start a similar contest at your school. 

Promising Practice: Civil War Day at La Pine Middle School

One of the highlights at La Pine Middle School since the beginning of the GEAR UP grant is a tradition known as Civil War Day. Planned and executed by student members of the "College Club", this year's festivities were bigger and better than ever before, including a school-wide assembly, a series of contests, and a tailgate party with snacks provided by the local grocery store!