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Montana GEAR UP Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education PO Box 203201 Helena, MT 59620-3201 Phone (406) 444-0056 Fax (406) 444-0425

Sandy Merdinger, GEAR UP Program Director (406) 444-0317

Sara Berg, School Grant Manager (406) 444-0848

Montana GEAR UP website: www.gearup.montana.edu

National GEAR UP website: www.ed.gov/programs/gearup/

GEAR UP
Trout Creek is entering its 6th year as one of 25 schools in Montana's Gear Up (Gainining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs). Our focus is improving student skills and academics; giving our students a greater base for successfully entering and completing a post-secondary program.

Our students will begin learning earlier about jobs and careers. They will visit various colleges and educational institutions. One of the most exciting parts,being, that they will be eligible to compete for scholarships.

In the fall, our 8th grade students took part in ACT's EXPLORER program. EXPLORER, is a tool to help students plan for High School. When our students attend High School, as 10th graders, they will participate in PLAN. PLAN is a midpoint review for students. In grades 11/12, students take the ACT test which prepares them for college readiness, admission and placement. We will have a Family Night for our students and their parents/guardians at Trout Creek School. The evening will include a dinner, and an introdcution to GEAR UP.

In October, we are planning to take out 7th & 8th grade students on a college visit to Montana Tech in Butte and Western College in Dillon. This will be an overnight trip and will include a visit to Bannack and Big Hole State Parks.

Other GEAR UP activities include the poster contest, college visits, surveys completed by students, parents and educators, and Science Fair at the U of M in Missoula. In our students junior year, they have the opportunity to apply for and receive a $1500 Achievement Scholorship. As seniors, 15 Scholorships for $20,000 will be awarded to Montana students.

Liaison Diane Weber, who is a paraprofessional at Trout Creek, will oversee the process. She will coordinate the program that involves students, parents, community, Noxon high and the state office. Juanita Triplett, Noxons Counselor, will assist her with high school activities. Noxon High is the recieving high school for our students completing their elementary education at Trout Creek School.