Funded by the President’s Innovation Fund and in collaboration with the President’s Council, Parkway Heights Middle School, and South San Francisco High School, the Middle School Outreach Project was founded in 2012 with the goal of exposing middle school students to college, careers, and financial aid at a young age. Additionally, the program seeks to offer information about college and the financial aid process to parents in an effort to support their development as educational advocates for their child.
On April 1, 2015 the San Mateo County School Boards Association (SMCSBA), the San Mateo Community College District, and the San Mateo County Office of Education announced that the Middle School Outreach Project is one of sixteen programs in San Mateo County to receive the 2015 J. Russell Kent Award.
The J. Russell Kent Award is awarded to innovative programs in San Mateo County that promote success in or out of the classroom. Programs are evaluated and selected based on the following criteria:
1. Program Goals
2. Program Description
3. Evidence of Student Success
4. Program Assessment
5. Innovation
6. Transferability, and
7. Communication
There will be an Award Celebration Ceremony to recognize all J. Russell Kent Award recipients on Monday, May 11, 2015 in Foster City, California.
I would like to express my deepest appreciation to Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud, Mr. Carsbia Anderson, Dr. Angelica Garcia, the President’s Council, especially Mrs. Teresa Proaño and Mr. Steve Martinez, our partners at Parkway Heights Middle School and South San Francisco High School, and the Middle School Outreach Project Team—Nate Nevado, Lorraine DeMello, Lavinia Zanassi, Suzanne Poma, Kent Gomez, Jocelyn Vila, and Gretel Barreto for their support. I am humbled by the opportunity to work with a great team of passionate educators, administrators, and community leaders!
Article by Jessica Lopez | Photo by Claudia Paz