WIXLIB

VOL. 1 ISSUE 1 JAN 2020Vol 2 Issue 1 August 2020This issue:K-12 COLLEGE &CAREERREADINESS and GEAR UPWelcome to Our NewsletterPAGE 1Fort Wayne Community SchoolsWelcome to Our 2020-2021 NewsletterBY SHENITA BOLTON, K-12 College and Career Readiness ManagerWhat Do We Offer?PAGE 221ST Century Scholars ProgramPAGE 3The K-12 College and Career Readiness Office looks forward toworking closely with our FWCS students and families during the2020-2021 academic year. Our office is located in the Family andCommunity Engagement Center. Through various programs,workshops, college and career visits, and other engagingopportunities, our team works to ensure that students have theknowledge, skills and abilities to succeed after high school.The K-12 College and Career Readiness/GEAR UP MonthlyNewsletter will provide students, parents/guardians, staff, andcommunity organizations with a variety of FREE college andcareer opportunities for students. This monthly newsletter willalso include information regarding scholarships, FAFSAcompletion assistance, 21st Century Scholars Program,internships, the GEAR UP Program, parent engagement andmore.COLLEGE & CAREER/GEAR UPPage 1Internship & Job ShadowingOpportunitiesPAGE 4GEAR UP ProgramPAGE 5Parent/Guardian TrailblazerProgram&Parent WorkshopsPAGE 6Student-Athlete AmbassadorProgramPAGE 7Upcoming OpportunitiesPAGE 8

VOL. 1 ISSUE 1 JAN 2020Fort Wayne Community SchoolsWHAT DO WE OFFER? Individualized College and Career PlanningHigh School College and Career Prep ProgramsMiddle School College and Career Exploration ProgramsElementary (3-5) College and Career Exploration Programs21st Century Scholars ProgramGEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for UndergraduatePrograms)College Application AssistanceCollege Essay CritiquesFAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) AssistanceCollege Visit ProgramsCareer Visit ProgramsCollege Fair ProgramsSAT/ACT PrepInternship and Job Shadowing OpportunitiesCollege and Career Readiness Community Outreach ProgramsVolunteer ProgramsAthletic Mentorship ProgramsParent WorkshopsParent Trailblazer ProgramCOLLEGE & CAREER/GEAR UPPage 2

2 1 st C e n t u r y S c h o l a r sProgramB Y M A R T I N M U R P H Y, K - 1 2College and Career ReadinessCoordinatorIndiana’s 21 st Century Scholars Program providesqualified students with up to four years of theirundergraduate tuition at Indiana colleges anduniversities .MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTSIn order to receive the 21st Century Scholarship, studentsMartin MurphyK-12 College and Career ReadinessCoordinatorMUST enroll no later than the end of their 8th grade year. Westrongly encourage all 7th and 8th grade students to enroll.Students who meet the income eligibility requirements, willbenefit from this scholarship.ENROLL IN THE PROGRAM TODAY athttps://learnmoreindiana.org/scholars/enroll or see yourcounselor or GEARUP Student Advisor for a 21st CenturyScholars worksheet.HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTSHigh School students must complete three Scholar SuccessProgram activities each year, graduate from an Indiana highschool with a minimum of a Core 40 diploma, earn at least acumulative (overall) grade point average of 2.5, not use illegaldrugs or alcohol or commit a crime or delinquent act, completetheir FAFSA by April 15, and be accepted into an Indianacollege or university.For additional information, please contact me atmartin.murphy@fwcs.k12.in.us or (260) 467-2655COLLEGE & CAREER/GEAR UPPage 3

INTERNSHIPSBY NEAL DAVIS, College and Career Readiness/GEAR UP CoordinatorThe College and Career Readiness Internship Program provideshigh school students with experiential learning opportunities atlocal businesses or organizations in Allen County. Theinternship program is designed to strengthen a student’s jobskills by engaging the student in meaningful and practical workexperiences. This program will allow students to participate in apaid or unpaid internship that will better prepare them forpostsecondary opportunities and future careers. Studentsinterested in participating in an internship should email me atneal.davis@fwcs.k12.in.us or call me at (260) 467-7272Neal Davis,College and Career Readiness/GEARUP CoordinatorThe College and Career Readiness Office has partnered with the followingbusinesses and organizations to provideINTERNSHIPS and JOB SHADOWING opportunities for FWCS students4eosAllen County Superior CourtArts UnitedBrooks ConstructionCourtyard By MarriottCyclone SocialDanaDancer ConcreteDeister MachineFort Wayne Children’s ZooFort Wayne Civic TheatreFort Wayne Habitat for HumanityFort Wayne MetalsFWCS NatatoriumHarris CorporationIndiana StampJack Laurie GroupJackson R. Lehman YMCAK&H ConstructionLassus Bros. Oil, Inc.*Lutheran Hospital*Lutheran Rehabilitation HospitalMcMillen HealthMidwest America FCUMitsubishi Chemical AdvancedNeighborhood Health ClinicsOne Eleven Design*Parkview HealthPaul Davis ManufacturingQuickcutRea Magnet WireScience CentralSigning ClosersState Farm InsuranceSteel Dynamics, INC.*Steppin’ Up Physical TherapyStrahm Building SolutionsSweetwater AviationTargeted Services PCThe Find*Veterinary Services of Allen CountyWard CorporationWorld Baseball AcademyYMCA of Greater Fort Wayne*sites that will be availableSpring 2021 due to COVID-19Students interested in an internship or job shadowing opportunity should speak with their guidance counselor or contactNeal Davis at neal.davis@fwcs.k12.in.us or (260) 467-7272Page 4

by Angeliki Benge, Allen Coultas, Leo Pech, Michael Roberson, and Tristan YoungGEARUP Student AdvisorsGEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness forUndergraduate Programs) is a federal grant program administeredby the U.S. Department of Education.OBJECTIVES: Increase the academic performance and preparation forpostsecondary education of students Increase the rate of high school graduation and participationin postsecondary education Increase the educational expectation for participatingstudents Increase family knowledge of postsecondary educationoptions, preparation and financingCOHORT:current 8th & 9th Graders*the grant serves the cohort as they matriculate to high school andone year post secondaryLet’s get GEARed UP Students!My name is Allen Coultas and I am theGEAR UP Student Advisor for Lane andMemorial Park Middle Schools and SniderHigh School. What excites me most aboutthe 2020-2021 academic year is making asignificant, positive impact on the lives ofeach student and staff member that Imeet. I am eager to help studentsimplement and create a vision ofexcellence for themselves.My favorite quote is “The differencebetween school and life? In school, you'retaught a lesson and then given a test. Inlife, you're given a test that teaches you alesson.” - Tom BodettYou can contact me atallen.coultas@fwcs.k12.in.us or(260) 467-7290This year is one more stepFORWARD GEAR UP Students!My name is Leo Pech and I amthe GEAR UP Student Advisor forPortage and Kekionga MiddleSchools and South Side HighSchool. What excites me the mostabout 2020-2021 academic yearis our students’ endurance andhard work. I look forward for moreopportunities to work together withour cohort of middle and highschool students.My favorite quote is “Educationis not preparation for life;education is life itself.”– JohnDeweyYou can contact me atleonel.pech@fwcs.k12.in.us or(260) 467-7289CLASS OF 2024 and 2025Meet Your GEAR UP Student AdvisorsWelcome Back GEAR UP Class of 2024 and2025!My name is Angela Benge and I am the GEARUP Student Advisor for Northwood and LakesideMiddle Schools and North Side HighSchool. What excites me most about the 20202021 academic year is being able to connect withstudents once again and make this year betterthan the last.My favorite quote is “A mistake that makes youhumble is better than an achievement that makesyou arrogant.” – UnknownYou contact me atangeliki.benge@fwcs.k12.in.us or(260) 467-7296Hello Class of 2024 and 2025!My name is Mike Roberson and I amthe GEAR UP Student Advisor forJefferson and Shawnee MiddleSchools and Northrop High School.What excites me most about the 20202021 academic year is workingalongside students to inform them ofwhat it will take to succeed throughouttheir high school career, while instillingresilience during the most uniqueeducational experience they mayencounter.WELCOME BACK GEAR UPStudents!My name is Brody Young and I am theGEAR UP Student Advisor for Miamiand Towles Middle Schools and WayneHigh School. What excites me mostabout the 2020-2021 academic year ismeeting and building relationships withthe students and staff at each of theschools I will be working.My favorite quote is “Be the changeyou wish to see in the world.” Mahatma GandhiYou can contact me atmichael.roberson@fwcs.k12.in.us or(260) 467-7284You can contact me attristan.young@fwcs.k12.in.us or(260) 467-7288COLLEGE & CAREER/GEAR UPPage 5My favorite quote is “Improvise,Adapt, Overcome” – my Mom.

PAR E N T / G U AR D I AN T R AI L B L AZ E R P R O G R AMby KYLE BOND, Family and Community Support LiaisonPARENTS WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOU GETTING INVOVED DURING THE 2020 -2021ACADEMIC YEAR!Parents and guardians have the opportunity to serve as a trailblazer and further integrate inFort W ayne Community Schools. The Parent/Guardian Trailblazer Program equips parents andguardians with the knowledge, skills and abilities to support their children both academicallyand em otionally.The program provides a structure for parents and guardians across the district to work togetherto em power their students to succeed in the classroom, in the community and in the broaderworld. Parent/Guardian Trailblazers work closely with the PTA, the College and CareerReadiness Office, youth serving organizations and their child’s school to ensure that childrenare college and career ready.Parent/Guardian Trailblazers serve as the steering wheel on the vehicle of learning, as theyprovide guidance, educational support and are engaged in the students’ academic journey. Incollaboration with Fort W ayne Community Schools, parents/guardians will work together to helptheir students reach their full academic potential.Parents and GuardiansWelcome to the 2020-2021 Academic Year!My name is Kyle Bond and I serve as the Family and Community SupportLiaison and College and Career Liaison for Blackhawk Middle. I lookforward to connecting with each of you as you partner with the K-12College and Career Readiness Office to support your student(s) tobecome college and career ready.On my favorite quotes is “The future belongs to young people with aneducation and the imagination to create” – Barack Obama.Please contact me at kyle.bond@fwcs.k12.in.us or (260) 467-7297 if youwould like to become involved in our Parent/Guardian Trailblazer Programor other upcoming parent/guardian workshops and programs.COLLEGE & CAREER/GEAR UPCOLLEGE & CAREER/GEARUPPage 6Page 5