Spring 2008 14th Edition - California GEAR UP e-Newsletter

Notes From the GEAR UP Director Shelley Davis

Spring 2008 14th Edition
There’s always a certain degree of excitement with the beginning of spring. All around are reminders of “coming attractions” as Mother Nature prepares for her annual display of beauty and bounty. Then too, there is the uncertainty of just how soon to shed extra layers of clothing, to plan the outdoor dinner party or the weekend camping trip with the kids. Springtime requires that we plan, prepare and adapt for Change. This is a season of great expectations of real Change, as featured in the 2008 presidential campaign. And closer to home Change must come to meet the challenges of closing the achievement gap.
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A VOICE FOR HIGH QUALITY TEACHING | An Interview with Bill Vasey

Spring 2008 14th Edition
In 2005, GEAR UP Project Coordinator Bill Vasey retired from the California Department of Education as Assistant Superintendent, Professional Development and Curriculum Support Division with wide-ranging administrative responsibilities in many professional development programs, including BTSA and improving teacher quality aspects of Title I. Mr. Vasey earned a Master of Science Degree in Management Information Systems from CSU, Sacramento, a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from UC, Santa Cruz and holds teaching credentials from CSU, Sacramento. Bill is a liaison with two ARCHES-ENLACE regional collaboratives and a partner with one of the eleven schools participating in the High School Leadership Initiative of the California Academic Partnership Program (CAPP).
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Meet Renee East

Spring 2008 14th Edition
Renee East has served in the GEAR UP Oakland Office since 2002. She provides administrative support for the program, including School Leadership Team trainings and conferences. A devoted grandmother, Renee is also mother to an adopted three year old daughter. A consistent and flexible team player, Renee is always there to lend a hand!

Announcement

Spring 2008 14th Edition
California GEAR UP Director Shelley Davis has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform. She joins educators from across the country committed to promoting student and school success through policy recommendations and model school practices.

GEAR UP San Diego Community-Based Project Moves Forward

Spring 2008 14th Edition
In collaboration with selected community and faith-based organizations, the Community-Based Project disseminates the resources, materials and information developed by California GEAR UP. In August 2007, California GEAR UP was a sponsor and presenter at the New ERAA Back to School Conference. Co-Directors Walter Kudumu and Frank Holmes have expanded the participation of trusted and respected organ- izations in the community to include New ERAA (Everybody Recommitting to Academic Achievement), San Diego GEAR UP Partnership Program, San Diego City Schools Ballard Center, San Diego Urban League (Golden Pyramid Program), Center for Parent Involvement in Education, and Fulton Elementary/Middle School.
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2008 GEAR UP Forums: Sustainability, Leadership and Relationships

Spring 2008 14th Edition
School leadership teams came together at the 2008 California GEAR UP Forums for a day of reflection, assessment, and development of their sustainability plan. As a culminating task the teams completed the School Self Assessment Rubric (SSAR) and compared results to those of 2 years ago. Whole school planning focused on sustaining a college-going culture for the 2008-2009 academic year.
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GEAR UP Partner: Parent Institute for Quality Education

Spring 2008 14th Edition

Since July 2007, many families have completed Parent Institute for Quality Education classes at GEAR UP schools. These sessions offer valuable information on what is needed for students to be successful in school. Families, parents and guardians learn how to negotiate with school staff to benefit their children.

Bellflower Middle School Honors PIQE Graduates

Through February 2008, the following schools celebrated with their graduates:

Newsletter Credits

Joann Zgonc - Publication Coordinator
Bernadette Ramirez - Executive Assistant
Tarik Assagai - ACS Digital Media

Regional Coordinators

Sandy Carpenter-Stevenson	Vance Mills
Shirley A. Cunningham	Gina Rodriguez
Frank Holmes	Robert Van Zant
Donald Mar	Joann Zgonc

In This Issue

Notes From the GEAR UP Director Shelley Davis
There’s always a certain degree of excitement with the beginning of spring. All around are reminder...

A VOICE FOR HIGH QUALITY TEACHING | An Interview with Bill Vasey
In 2005, GEAR UP Project Coordinator Bill Vasey retired from the California Department of Education...

Meet Renee East
Renee East has served in the GEAR UP Oakland Office since 2002. She provides administrative support...

Announcement
California GEAR UP Director Shelley Davis has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Nation...

GEAR UP San Diego Community-Based Project Moves Forward
In collaboration with selected community and faith-based organizations, the Community-Based Project...

2008 GEAR UP Forums: Sustainability, Leadership and Relationships
School leadership teams came together at the 2008 California GEAR UP Forums for a day of reflection,...

GEAR UP Partner: Parent Institute for Quality Education
Since July 2007, many families have completed Parent Institute for Quality Education classes at GEA...

THE POWER OF FACILITATION
The beauty of using facilitation to initiate and spark change(s) lies in its simplicity. All school...

GEAR UP School Happenings
In January 2008 a “College-Going School Rally” at Visitacion Middle School featured students with la...

GEAR UP Family Initiatives Project: Reaching Into the School Community
The Family Initiatives Project (FIP) continues to develop creative ways to strengthen the connection...

Counseling Institute: All Counselors Are College Counselors
Over 100 participants pre-registered for the three one day Counseling Institute sessions provided by...

Counseling Institute Facilitators: Linda Loya and Qiana Patterson
Linda Loya taught junior high school Spanish for two years, spent 35 years at Huntington Park High S...

Valley High School Counseling Program Wins Award
In March 2008 the Valley High School Counseling Program was selected to receive the prestigious H.B....

GEAR UP EDUCATIONAL TRUST AWARDS: ENGAGING STUDENTS AND PARENTS
Story Note: The California GEAR UP Program has established Educational Trust Awards with Scholarsha...

California GEAR UP and TEAM GEAR UP Collaboration
TEAM (Together Expect and Achieve More) GEAR UP, a local partnership grant, brings together 13 middl...

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