GEAR UP Family Day Planned

The Fairmont State GEAR UP Partnership will sponsor its annual Family Day on Saturday, May 7.

GEAR UP families and non-GEAR UP families are invited to attend this year's event with the theme "Expectations: On the Rise." Families may sign up for the morning session or the afternoon session or both sessions offered for Family Day. The day's activities are designed to help parents find out what they can do now to help their middle school or high school student accomplish his or her dreams.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for families of middle and high school students to get a feel for the college campus atmosphere and become familiar with people who can answer their questions, whether they plan to attend Fairmont State or any other college or university," said Victoria Kesner, GEAR UP Parent Coordinator.

Admission is free for all those attending the day's events. Lunch and dinner will be provided at no cost for GEAR UP families, but non-GEAR UP families will have the option of purchasing meals at the campus dining hall.

The morning session will feature education information and a career fair. Parents and families will be able to visit displays and information booths about career clusters and college majors; take guided tours of campus; get firsthand information from current students about college life; and talk with state and local service agencies about volunteer opportunities and resources.

Morning Agenda: Education and Career Fair
8:30-9 a.m.
Registration -- Turley Center
9-9:20 a.m.
Welcome -- Turley Center Ballroom
9:30-10:45 a.m.
Education and Career Fair -- Colebank Hall Gym
11 a.m.-noon
Tours of academic programs and guided campus tours
noon-1 p.m.
Lunch -- Turley Center

The afternoon session will feature parent workshops and student activities. Parents may choose from a variety of 45-minute sessions led by guest speakers on topics including: ACT testing and preparation, high school class scheduling, finding the right college, financial aid, coaching your student to success, college admission requirements, community and technical colleges and more. Games, arts, crafts and other activities will be available.

Afternoon Agenda: Activities and Parent Workshops
Noon-12:30 p.m.
Registration -- Turley Center
12:30-12:50 p.m.
Welcome -- Turley Center Ballroom
Students:
1-4:45 p.m.
Hands-on science demonstrations, arts, crafts and games. Child care will be available for younger siblings -- Education Building
Parents:
1-4:45 p.m.
Concurrent sessions with breaks in between each session
4:45-6 p.m.
Dinner -- Turley Center

The registration deadline is Monday, May 2. For more information or to register, call (304) 367-0436 or (877) 385-0896 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

GEAR UP is a six-year, federally funded program that aims to significantly increase the number of students who are prepared to succeed in education beyond high school. In 1999, Fairmont State received the largest of 164 partnership grants awarded throughout the United States. GEAR UP serves 16,553 seventh- through 12th-grade students in 29 middle schools and 18 high schools in nine counties. The Fairmont State GEAR UP grant serves Barbour, Dodriddge, Harrison, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, Randolph, Taylor and Tucker counties. Fairmont State is in the process of applying for a new six-year GEAR UP grant that will expand the program into five additional counties.