GEAR UP Waco Event To Help Students, Parents 'Survive' The TAKS
GEAR UP Waco, a multi-project initiative dedicated to helping Waco ISD middle school students prepare early for college, will provide a fun and engaging event this Saturday to help students and parents get ready for the upcoming Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test.
"Outwit, Outplay and Outlast to Survive the TAKS," a "Survivor"-type event in which students use their academic skills in individual and team competitions, will be held from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, at the new Cesar Chavez Middle School, 700 S. 15th St. The free event includes lunch and drawings for door prizes.
"Survive the TAKS" is sponsored by GEAR UP Waco's Parental Involvement Initiative, which focuses on increasing and enhancing parental participation in their children's education.
"Strong academic skills and parental involvement are two of the most important factors in early college preparation," said Todd Becker, parental involvement coordinator. "We're bringing together middle schoolers and parents in an entertaining setting to promote the importance of both."
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, GEAR UP Waco is a comprehensive, collaborative initiative focused on preparing at-risk students academically and socially for college. GEAR UP Waco serves as a community catalyst to assure an increase in students who pursue advanced and enrichment courses, pass the state exam and continue their education beyond the high school level. Partners in the GEAR UP Waco project are Baylor University, Texas State Technical College, McLennan Community College, Communities in Schools/McLennan County Youth Collaboration, Waco ISD, The Waco Foundation and the City of Waco.
For more information, contact Becker at 710-3528.