Chief Moses Middle School GEAR UP has recently launched an exciting new program, S.P.A.R.K. Peer Tutoring!  S.P.A.R.K. is the acronym for Supportive Peers as Resources for Knowledge.  GEAR UP and the CMMS counselors have been collaborating on creating a successful Peer Tutoring program.  The purpose of this program is to improve 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students’ grades through 8th grade students peer tutoring other students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade classrooms.

The S.P.A.R.K. Peer Tutoring program focuses on teaching students how to empower themselves through the importance of building relationships with the students they tutor, study techniques, and changing one’s thinking from a “Problem Focus” to a “Positive Focus”.  S.P.A.R.K. peer tutoring has begun with twelve CMMS 8th grade students that have been interviewed and trained by GEAR UP staff and the CMMS counselors.  The peer tutors will be starting their in class tutoring soon.

On October 5^th, 6^th, and 7^th, over 350 Chief Moses Middle School 7^th grade students descended upon the Eastern Washington University campus in Cheney, WA. The students were able to tour the campus, including the new recreation center and the dormitories.

Students also participated in a question and answer panel with several college students and admissions advisors to learn more about what college life is like and what steps students need to take in order to attend college.

As a closing to the 2008-2009 school year, sixty-one 6^th and 7^th grade Chief Moses Middle School students boarded a bus in the early hours of the morning and headed off to a day of personal and team challenges, as well as a whole lot of fun.  On May 14^th and 15^th, two groups of students took on the Columbia Ropes Course Challenge in Kennewick, Washington.  The students were selected to participate in this activity based on academic excellence as well as academic improvement and growth. 

During the Challenge students learned about listening, leadership, teamwork, problem solving, patience, trust, communication, and many other important qualities to take back and share with their fellow students.

On May 19th, the 8th grade GEAR UP students of Chief Moses Middle School spent the day listening to more than 20 community speakers present information about their exciting careers, the importance of good attendance, trying ones best in school, and continuing ones education after high school.  Nearly 250 8th grade students attended three various career sessions throughout the day, listening with rapt attention to police officers, a former FBI agent, a veterinarian, an artist, a lineman, an actor, a dancer, photographers, engineers, a physical therapist, and many other fascinating speakers.  One student commented that he enjoyed career day because it, “presented an option to progress toward a future career.” Other students mentioned that the speakers at Career Day helped them realize what sort of classes they should take in high school and college in order to obtain the type of career they desire. 

Overall a great day was had by many 8th grade students.  GEAR UP was pleased to be able to bring these careers to out students, and we look forward to bringing even more community speakers to our Career Day next year.