College Hosts Grant Partnership Meeting
(Press Release 09-28-09)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

More than sixty–five representatives from GEAR UP partner schools, EOSC administration, and GEAR UP staff recently met in the Student Center Ballroom at Eastern Oklahoma State College for a GEAR UP for a Brighter Tomorrow Partnership meeting. The six–year grant is in the fourth year of implementation.

Eastern Oklahoma State College President Dr. Steve Smith welcomed the attendees. GEAR UP Project Director Linda Morgan introduced special guests Eastern Oklahoma State College Grants Manager Debbie McIntyre and Vice President of Student Affairs Vic Woods and the GEAR UP staff.

Morgan reviewed the objectives of the grant which are: 1) Increase academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education by creating more effective learning environments; 2) Increase the rate of high school graduation and participation in postsecondary education by providing college and career advisement; 3) Increase students and their families’ knowledge of postsecondary education options, preparation and financing.

In the first three years of the grant, GEAR UP sponsored tutoring, field trips, summer camps, and co–sponsored the Career & College Tour. GEAR UP staff implemented the college and career exploration software okcollegestart.org, distributed calculators to “Algebra Ready” GEAR UP students, and provided academic incentives, and more.

“In 2009–2010, the Education Coordinators are using the 16 Summers curriculum to inform students and their families about ways to apply to and pay for postsecondary education,” Morgan said. “The program is divided into eight modules, each focusing on a topic specific to the pursuit of postsecondary education. Each student will receive a Student Handbook to facilitate his or her learning.”

Professional development sponsored by GEAR UP last year included SkillsTutor workshops, a SmartBoard training, two Texas Instruments workshops, and Love & Logic® workshops. GEAR UP teachers were given up to $100 to spend on instructional materials and supplies.

Attendees received folders with contents specific to their schools including their original Partner Identification Form and Cost Share Worksheets, reports displaying In–Kind Contributions to date, 2009–2010 In–Kind GEAR UP Match Requirement Enrollment form, September Effort Turnaround Report form, and a Match Activity Cheat Sheet.

“As we being the fourth year,” added Morgan. “We are anxious to make this the best year yet!”

The grant is currently serving 9th and 10th grade students at Antlers, Bokoshe, Buffalo Valley, Canadian, Clayton, Crowder, Indianola, Keota, Kiowa, LeFlore, McCurtain, Moyers, Panola, Pittsburg, Quinton, Red Oak, Whitesboro, and Wilburton Public Schools. The grant is serving 10th grade students at Haileyville, Hartshorne, McAlester, Rattan, and Talihina.

LeFlore Public Schools County Representatives—
Front Row Left to Right: Celia Abernathy, Bokoshe Public Schools; Rocky Farris, Whitesboro Public Schools; Cory Wood, LeFlore Public Schools; Katie Blagg, Whitesboro Public Schools; Patsey Porter, Whitesboro Public Schools; Charlotte Smith, Talihina Public Schools; GEAR UP Education Coordinator Fenessa Little; and GEAR UP Education Coordinator Dara Ward.
Back Row: Robert Perryman, Talihina Public Schools; and Jason Lockhart, Talihina Public Schools.

Pushmataha County Representatives—
Left to Right: Marcia Armstrong, Moyers Public Schools; Donna Dudley, Moyers Public Schools; Mark Virden, Antlers Public Schools; Melinda Martin, Antlers Public Schools; Bryan McNutt, Antlers Public Schools; Lawanda Vaughn, Moyers Public Schools; Ramonia Davis, Clayton Public Schools; Neil Birchfield, Rattan Public Schools; and GEAR UP Education Coordinator LaDonna Baldwin.

Haskell County Representatives—
Left to Right: GEAR UP Education Coordinator Dara Ward; Charity Loggains, Keota Public Schools; Debbie Jennings, Keota Public Schools; Rita  Echelle, Keota Public Schools; Perry Arnwine, McCurtain Public Schools; and Deward Palmer, McCurtain Public Schools.

Latimer County Representatives—
Left to Right: Terrie Ober, Red Oak Public Schools; Jerry Mathews, Buffalo Valley Public Schools; Bryan Deatherage, Red Oak Public Schools; Cary Ammons, Buffalo Valley Public Schools; Lyndon Howze, Buffalo Valley Public Schools; Gary Lay, Wilburton Public Schools; Kim Suttles, Wilburton Public Schools; Christy Bryan, Panola Public Schools; Charles Enis, Wilburton Public Schools; GEAR UP Education Coordinator LaDonna Baldwin; and GEAR UP Education Coordinator Fenessa Little.

Pittsburg Public Schools County Representatives—
Front Row: GEAR UP Education Coordinator Dara Ward; Della Cooper, Pittsburg Public Schools; Amber Myers, Quinton Public Schools; Jurean Cook, Quinton Public Schools; Jimmy Harwood, Pittsburg Public Schools; Tom Condict, McAlester Public Schools; Michelle Whitecotton, McAlester Public Schools; Cecil Hallmark, Haileyville Public Schools; Paulla Slawson, Kiowa Public Schools; Chuck Geis, McAlester Public Schools; Patti Tucker, Crowder Public Schools; Bud Rattan Public Schools, Canadian Public Schools; Carolyn Miller, Canadian Public Schools; and Lori Palmer, Canadian Public Schools.
 
Back Row: Tony Potts, Pittsburg Public Schools; Paul Ogden, Quinton Public Schools; Mark Baumann, Indianola Public Schools; Wade Daniel, Kiowa Public Schools; Jennifer Hunt, Hartshorne Public Schools; Mike Reddick, Hartshorne Public Schools; Mark Ichord, Hartshorne Public Schools; Ron Slawson, Kiowa Public Schools; Rodney Karch, Canadian Public Schools; Robert Florenzano, Crowder Public Schools; GEAR UP Education Coordinator Nina Fereday; and GEAR UP Education Coordinator Michelle Cox.