GEAR UP GazetteDecember 2011 Vol. 5, Issue 6

Staff Notes . . . . . . . . . . . Page 2Kudos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 2

Dear Don & Delilah. . . . . Page 3 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4

Highlights

How exciting is it to have your “own” laptop? Most students here in Natrona County are lucky enough to be supplied with a laptop for their use. These laptops serve many purposes during school and are also taken home for personal use. It is important to be responsible with your laptop, so you don’t lose the privilege of having one. Technology is continually evolving and progressing; having a laptop can help you keep up with the times. There are many programs, which can help you improve your keyboarding skills as well as tutorials to teach you how to use various programs. The use of these programs can help you be successful in classes as well as in future job fi elds. Upon researching free websites to improve keyboarding skills, I found that even I needed to practice! A few of the free keyboarding programs I found include:

• www.goodtyping.com• www.typingweb.com• www.typeonline.co.uk/

number_pad_lesson1.html

Although this computer doesn’t cost you anything, is it important to take good care of it? The answer is YES! Here are a few guidelines to taking good care of your laptop:

• Use a soft cotton cloth, such as a handkerchief, moistened with nonalkaline detergent to clean your computer.

• Use a carrying case that provides good protection for your laptop, such as the case you received with it.• Don’t crush your laptop by stuffi ng too many books around it inside your backpack.

• Don’t drop, jar, or bump your laptop.• Don’t pick up or hold your laptop by the screen, or scratch, twist, hit, or push the surface of the display.• Don’t disassemble or attempt to repair your laptop yourself.• Don’t leave the laptop’s base resting directly on your body for an extended period of time, it can get hot.

There are many awesome ways you can use your school computer, so be

sure to take good care of it and take ADVANTAGE of all that it has to

offer you!

Taking Advantage of Your Laptop!

By: Stephanie Marker, Student Success Advisor

December 2011 GEARUP

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Tidbits• To have your picture taken by the very fi rst camera you would have had to sit still for eight hours!• The technology contained in a single Gameboy unit in 2000 exceeds all the computing power that was used to put the fi rst man

on the moon in 1969.• Surgeons who grow up playing video games make 37 percent less mistakes than their counterparts who did not play

video games.• The fi rst hard drive available for the Apple II had a capacity of only fi ve megabytes.

Kudos Korner The GEAR UP staff would like to offer

kudos to the following:• Alex Z. and Summer K. for their volunteer time in the

GEAR UP offi ce.• To all of the high school students who attended the Oct.

22 ACT.• To the students at Roosevelt High School for their great

interest in our program!• To all the families who participated in our Tasty Tuesday

event!• To Laura Z. for her continuous participation in our 7th-9th

grade after school program!

Notes from the GEAR UP staff

Kaitlyn O’Malley, Dec.10

Michael Schmitt, Dec.16

Alejandra Arriaga, Dec.20

Nathan Brown, Dec.20

Sarah Appel, Dec.28

LaMarcus Eckley, Dec.30

There are many times throughout the week when we don’t feel very well, we are

tired, or maybe we just don’t feel like going to class; so when skipping classes feels like an

option we might just go ahead and miss. It is only once or twice, no big deal right?!

WRONG!Students who attend class on a regular basis are more likely to

be successful high school graduates. This might shock you, but even poor attendance in kindergarten can be directly linked to dropping out in high school.

So. ... What am I trying to say?!

GO TO SCHOOL. EVERY DAY. ON TIME.I know that may seem like a lot to ask but when you consider

the effects that NOT going to school, every day, and on time can have on your future, hopefully it will make waking up so early in the morning a little easier ... (keep reading).

Your attendance could actually be the MOST important part about being a student. When you go to class daily, not only will you fi nd your class work just a little bit easier, but it will also prepare you for college and keep you motivated to graduate!

If you are having trouble getting to school, but you recognize the importance of your daily attendance call GEAR UP! (268-2047). We would be glad to talk to you about some ways to get yourself in “GEAR” and going to school!

Take a BOCES class this springDid you know as a high school student you can take college classes free of

charge through BOCES? Yes, that’s right! BOCES will pay for tuition and books for up to nine credits per semester while you are in high school. You can take anything offered at Casper College, as long as you meet the prerequisites. Registration for spring semester begins December 5. The spring schedule is currently online at www.caspercollege.edu.

“So, what classes should I take?” This is the most common question high school students have. I always recommend starting with something that interests you. Look at the spring schedule and take note of what courses sound fun to you. Anything from fi re science to welding, medical terminology to computer science, and everything in between! Next, think about what subjects you are strongest at. Don’t start with a math class if math is not your strong point.

Have no idea what interests you? There are also several general education classes that are required for every degree at Casper College, and those are great classes to start with as well. If you want more advising as to which classes you should take, I am happy to meet with you individually as well! Just call or e-mail me: Janet Hoyt, BOCES Manager at 268-3309 or janet_hoyt@natronaschools.org.

Event Highlights:What are YOU doing

December 6, 2011?Don’t know?! Come to the GEAR UP

7th-12th grade event!

Adbay Web Design and Tour (with dinner at Sanfords!)

December 6, 2011, 3:30-6 p.m.Sign in at the GEAR UP offi ce, CE 102

For more info. or to RSVP call 268-2047We’ll see you there!

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December 2011GEARUP

Dear Don & DelilahQ: Dear Don & Delilah,How do I deal with drama over a guy? I mean, I have a crush on this guy, Tony (names have been changed to protect the innocent), but everyone tells me that I am not “good enough” for him. How do I deal with all this drama?

Sincerely, Not Good Enough

A: Dear Not Good Enough,This makes me sad, mad, and frustrated for you. Of course you are “good enough,” I don’t know why they would say this, and it doesn’t matter, there is no excuse for their bologna. If you listen to what they are saying to you, you will only start to believe it yourself. I’m sure you’ve heard this cliché before, but when others make fun of people, they themselves are insecure. I know you don’t want to hear this, but middle school and high school can be full of drama, no way around it. Don’t listen to their nonsense. You are better than that, and if “Tony” wants to believe it, he’s not worth your time.

Q: Dear Don & Delilah,How do I deal with kids that are ripping on me? Everyone tells me that I am a dumb blonde and that I will never succeed in life, and I’m starting to believe it! What do I do?

Sincerely, Discouraged Blonde

A: Dear Blonde,It sounds like you’re having some of the same problems as “Not Good Enough” above. Middle school and high school are rough, no doubt about it. Everyone is trying to fi t in, and sometimes they do this through being rude and mean to other students. Don’t believe what they say to you or about you. I’m 100 percent positive you are not a dumb blonde! Don’t give them the power to hurt you.

Chelse DePaolo-LaraSite Coordinatorcdepaolo@caspercollege.edu

Stephanie MarkerStudent Success Advisor smarker@caspercollege.edu

Traci GardnerStudent Success Advisor tgardner@caspercollege.edu

Katy HallockStudent Success Advisorkhallock@caspercollege.edu

Mindy CarlisleAdministrative Assistantmcarlisle@caspercollege.edu

Meet the GEAR UP Staff

GEAR UP Work Study Student

Ciera Sivertsonwww.caspercollege.edu/gearup

KatyMindy

ChelseTraci

If you have a question for Don and Delilah that you would like published in the newsletter, please send it via email to: mcarlisle@caspercollege.edu., mail it to GEAR UP, Casper College, Strausner Student Center, 125 College Dr., Casper, WY 82601, or bring it by the GEAR UP offi ces.

As with other materials, anything deemed inappropriate will not be published. Additionally, you are not required to include your real name, but we would appreciate it if you would include the name of your school.

Attention GEAR UP students and parents!

Stephanie

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GEARUP

October Senior High Event, students waiting for their college communication class to start

Mersades is so excited to be back at GEAR UP!

GU After School 7-12th grade event Last day GU After School for semester

ACT Test date

GEAR UP offi ces closed/no school

GEAR UP offi ces closed/no school

Anthony Prince Nov. 11, 1993 to Oct. 31, 2011

Anthony Prince

In Memory