Volume 3, Issue 3 SOUTH GATE , CA

LAUSDSouth GateGEAR-UPCollege Partnership

Counselor’s Corner

/ Important Survey Findings
Change occurs everywhere including in our community. Our GEAR UP Staff has grown and I’d like to welcome
Ms. Melissa Melara to South GateMiddle School. She is a graduate student at CSUDH and will soon be a credentialed counselor for the State of California. Our students will benefit greatly. New to South Gate are the Career & College Expo and College Making It Happen! Annual conference.
I strongly encourage families to invest time in attending these events. Important information on high school success, information on college and financial aid will be presented at workshops. Please register in advance for these events.
Mr. Leyva / It is important to point out new facts from our GEAR-UP surveys with the assistance of Mr. Jean Claude, our Data Research Consultant. He reported that “ fall 2007,” out of 1048 parents surveyed, 60 percent of GEAR UP parents feel they have enough information about the graduation requirements for High School and 85 percent stated they would like their child to achieve 4-year college degree or higher. In addition, the surveys pointed that parents participating in GEAR UP activities are more informed with the entrance requirements for four –year colleges or universities than before. However, parent’s main concern is college costs and to provide more information to parents about financial aid and scholarships for college. On the other hand, out of 1012 GEAR-UP students surveyed, 58 percent expect to go beyond 4-year College. 66% (667 students) stated it’s more important to go beyond high school education. GEAR-UP efforts are to impact on results that show that our students are more likely to overcome the challenges than non-gear-up students in high school. Our efforts will continue to provide target services to students, parents and teachers in ways that sustain high levels of academic motivation, knowledge, and skills for student progression toward college.
SoutheastMiddle School / South GateMiddle School
Spring is upon us and the activities will increase as students finish their last semester of 8th grade. All 8th graders received their PSAT scores and an explanation of how to improve it in the future. GEAR-UP tutoring is now offered in the library on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:15p.m. – 4:15 p.m. We hope students having access to books and computers will help them be more successful. Our first mentoring group is in full swing and we are ready to sign-up more students to work with mentors. College club meets on Tuesdays in Room 313 during lunch.
If your son/daughter is not participating in these activities they
are missing out. Get involved today!
Ms. Decay / GEAR-Up students at South GateMiddle School are currently getting ready to make the transition to high school. As the second semester progresses, we are conducting Individual Academic Plans with all 8th graders. This will allow them to know what classes they should be taking in high school. Also, we are forming college mentoring groups to help students gain college awareness by interacting with a college student. In addition, they are several college events and parent/child events coming soon. Look below for more information.
Ms. Navar

UPCOMING GEAR-UP EVENTS

Saturday, April 5 – 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
College & Career Expo at South GateMiddle School
College and career information for parents and students. Breakfast and lunch included for all registered participants. Register at or fill out formand fax to (213)623-5219.
Saturday, April 12 – 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
College Making It Happen at CaliforniaStateUniversity Northridge
College information for parents and students. Breakfast, lunch, and transportation included. Register by returning the form to GEAR-UP staff or calling them.
Friday, April 18, 7:30-1:30 p.m.
Youth Educational Options: Pathways to Your Future Event at CSU Long Beach Campus
Information on A-G requirements and preparing for post secondary education. Light breakfast, lunch, materials and bus transportation provided. More details to follow.
SAVE THE DATE…..
Father/son Event
Saturday, May 3 at 12:30 p.m. = 5:00 p.m.
Mother/daughter Event
Saturday, May 17th – 12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Parent/Child Event
Saturday, May 31st – 12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS:
City of the South Gate
CaliforniaStateUniversity, Northridge
The Hon Company
Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE)
UCLA EAOP
Salvadorean American Leadership Ed. Fund