On June 8, 2010 Franklin Middle School in Vallejo, CA will celebrate their California GEAR UP Education Trust Award recipients with a ceremony for students and families. Across the state of California, GEAR UP schools will be hosting celebrations for their ETA students, however, Franklin has a special surprise for this years honorees. Congressman George Miller has extended his personal appreciation for the hard work of the Education Trust Award students with a personal certificate for each student.

Our kids LOVE being recognized from their congressman… they feel very proud of themselves, as they should. Thank you (California GEAR UP) for giving our 4 students a certificate, I know their parents were extremely proud that we recognized their child’s efforts, I know they are going to be elated that Congressman Miller and his staff has recognized them as well.  Thanks again!!!

-Michael David, Franklin Middle School Principal

We are excited many of our schools are getting noticed by their local representatives for providing outstanding education opportunities for their community. This is just one example of how GEAR UP Leadership teams impact their school and families through the support of CA GEAR UP.

California GEAR UP continues its Principal and Leadership Team forums in Long Beach this week. Outcomes for the event include:

• Engage in a professional readings and dialogue
• Have a clear understanding of Outcomes and Expectations for California GEAR UP
• Revisit the Professional Development Action Plan (PDAP) and assess next steps in using GEAR UP services
• Share best strategies as Schools on the Move: Timing Interventions and Support for Struggling Students
• Determine communication steps to move the GEAR UP message forward with school staff and community

The goal of the California GEAR UP state program is to develop and sustain the organizational capacity of middle schools to prepare ALL students for high school and postsecondary education through the establishment of a statewide network of support. Since 1999, California GEAR UP and the 68 partnership projects have impacted over 1/3 of the 1200 middle schools in California, with the State grant serving over 236,000 students in 260 schools in 106 school districts in 25 counties. The state model is designed to create a self-sustaining college-going culture by working with whole schools through the adults that have the greatest impact in student life and experience: the principals, teachers, counselors, families and community leaders. The state model includes one school collaboration, GEAR UP/Valley High Collaboration, where a cohort of students is being followed from middle school through high school graduation.  By increasing the academic capacity of California middle schools, GEAR UP helps students meet the State Board of Education standards and advance toward successful high school completion and college participation.

If you attended todays event please let us know how we are doing! You can leave comments by click on the comments link above this post.

~We want to hear from you!~

Students at Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Vallejo, CA pose in front of their GEAR UP bulletin board. Teachers at Franklin are preparing to implement GEAR UP services at their school by changing all teacher team names on campus to that of community college and UC colleges. They are also sending oversize thank you letters to their US Senators and Representatives to show their gratitude in supporting America’s future leaders….the students of Franklin Middle School.