“Other schools in Lawrence should get the encouragement and help from the GEAR UP program, also. GEAR UP prepares us for high school and college and really makes you think about yourself and your future.” Jasmine Alberti, 7th grade

At South Lawrence East Middle School the 7th and 8th grade students receive GEAR UP workshops on a daily basis. GEAR UP is part of the students daily schedule as a special class. Students are given the opportunity to start planning for high school and are encouraged to “think college early”. Our students have participated in workshops on high school awareness, college awareness, study skills, career planning, and financial aid. Currently, we incorporate the 7th Habits of Highly Effective Teens program by Sean Covey into our GEAR UP Program. Besides the daily workshops, we have an after school program, where approximately 60 students receive extra help in regular and advanced Math, English and one on one tutoring. Some college visits this year include Northern Essex Community College, UMASS Lowell and Merrimack College.

Students at South Lawrence East Middle School are rewarded for their commitment and regular attendance, through incentives and fun fieldtrips. We have a strong group of committed tutors that make learning exciting.

On November 19, 2007, a group of sixty GEAR UP students from the Lawrence High School Campus participated in an event in partnership with Northern Essex Community College (NECC). They spent a couple of hours discussing the requirements for partaking in the Dual Enrollment Program which was lead by Niurka Aybar, Assistant Director Community Relations. The Dual Enrollment Program was developed to allow Lawrence High School students an opportunity to obtain college credits during their junior and senior years in high school. Students are able to take courses in Computer Sciences, Math, History, English Composition, and other courses that do not have any pre-requisites. Most students that participated in the program during the first two semesters earned an average grade of “B” or above in their respective course.

Students with a desire to academically challenge themselves may enroll in this program at Northern Essex Community College. The requirements for matriculation are to complete the ACCUPLACER Tests administered by The College Board and write an essay on a familiar topic. The purpose of ACCUPLACER tests is to provide students with useful information about their academic skills in Math, English, and Reading. The results of the assessment, in conjunction with their academic backgrounds, goals, and interests, are used by academic advisors and counselors to determine their course selection. Once enrolled, GEAR UP provides the funds for the courses chosen and the cost of books.

Let's Unite the Nation Tour

On September 20, 2007 the Gear Up program sponsored the Morris Brothers, Let’s Unite the Nation Tour bullying assembly. The 7th and 8th grade students were invited to see the Morris Brothers’ act about bullying. The Morris Brothers are inventors and have created the idea that being a nerd is cool. They wear plaid pants, pocket protectors, taped glasses and their hair stands straight up. The Brothers look like nerds and say that nerd stands for, Never Ending Radical Dude.

With their offbeat appearance, the Morris Brothers captured the attention of the students and staff at Peck Middle School in Holyoke. Through the Brothers unique humor they educate kids about having a healthy self-concept, self-confidence and setting personal goals. The Morris Brothers motto is, “It’s not what you look like, but how you feel about yourself that is important.” The Brothers teach the students that they are special, because each of them comes from unique backgrounds and experiences. The Morris Brothers also convey that learning can be fun.

The presentation lasted fifty minutes and included educational messages in humorous ways by using music, skits, comedy and audience participation. The students had positive comments about the show and asked when the Brothers were coming back