On August 19th a week before the first day of school, 9th grade students in the North Franklin School District participated in the first annual freshman orientation.

Students were introduced to Connell High School during a full day of activities. Tours were given by ASB officers and student group leaders and student had an opportunity to get into their lockers after much practice. Students listened to presentations by high school Principal Mr. Peterson and new assistant principal Mr. Clark as well as schools counselors Mr. Lira and Mrs. Koch. In addition to coordinating the day, GEAR UP was able to provide school supplies to help prepare the students for the school year. After a full morning of getting to know CHS and lunch from the Pizza Station, students attended a pool party at the city pool courtesy of the North Franklin School District. Immediately following the pool activities, students with their families attended dinner catered by Fiesta Mexican restaurants. A big thank you to all the staff, faculty and parents that participated in the orientation as well as thanks to Isidro Ortiz, 1994 CHS graduate and owner of Fiesta restaurants for partnering on this event.

The goal of freshman orientation is for students to feel connected to their new school and ease in the transition. We are looking forward to next years program and have already begun preparations. Welcome back Eagles!

Studying College Culture at Washington State University-Pullman.

What do Hip Hop, DNA, and clothing design have in common? How about bee hives, Korean Culture, and Disney movies?  Ask one of 14 Upward Bound-Columbia Basin students who attended the Washington State University summer program in July.  They’ll tell you that all of the above depict courses offered at the 2008 Upward Bound summer program on the WSU Pullman campus.

WSU GEAR UP and Wa-Hi joined together to welcome a new class of 9th grade students during Freshmen Orientation.  Over 400 of the 542 incoming freshmen attended the half day session.  Getting class schedules, meeting student mentors and teachers, and locating classes were all part of a well-planned day to help ease the transition from middle school to high school.

WSU GEAR UP recognizes the importance of a strong start in high school for freshmen and helped sponsor the program in partnership with Wa-Hi.  Introducing freshmen to high school academics, activities and expectations goes a long way to reducing dropout rates and increasing the percentage of students who graduate on time from Wa-Hi.  GEAR UP views Freshmen Orientation as an important step toward preparing students for college.

Twenty Clarkston students (6th and 7th grade) attended GEAR UP’s First Annual Engineering Challenge during the first week of August!!  Students came together in small teams or by themselves to complete fourteen challenges in three days.  Mandi Weber led the challenge with the help of Robert Hagan, Marty Schlader, and Jacqueline Fallon, all of whom are GEAR UP tutors.

Eight students from the Glenwood GEAR UP Program spent five days in Pullman this summer to attend Cougar Quest Summer Camp.  Washington State University hosts many youth activities each summer, one of which is Cougar Quest.   Students who are entering grades 7 – 9 can participate in the Middle School Session.  Student who are entering grades 9 – 12 have the opportunity to attend the High School Session.   Washington State professors and grad students present the workshops.  WSU students and recent graduates, who are often Education majors, act as Counselors during the camp.  Each is assigned a group that they spend the week getting to know, acting as a mentor and providing support for any needs that arise.  The entire Cougar Quest Staff works tirelessly to show the kids a good time, provide great learning opportunities, and showing off the WSU – Pullman campus.  Cougar Quest Manager, Kim Mueller, was a particular favorite for Glenwood’s campers.

While at WSU, campers live like college students.  They sleep in the dorms, eat meals in the dining halls, and walk all over campus to attend class.  They all now know what “Cougar Calves” are.  Most are now familiar with the location of many of the labs, lecture halls, and of course, “The Bookie”.