COLLEGE UNIDOS
Mrs. Armas -east campus/Valerie McFarlin-West campus

 THIS YEARS EVENTS 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR

The goals of  College UNIDOS. are to promote the identity, unity, and academic success of the growing community of Latino students and families in the district. Through academic, cultural, informational, and social growth opportunities, College UNIDOS invites Hispanic students and families to participate in a monthly group, providing them with the necessary information to be successful in Navigating the American school system.  

The group is sponsored by the high school and lead by two staff members: Spanish teacher, Serena Armas, and Counselor, Valerie McFarlin. The two leaders of Lake Park College UNIDOS hold nine monthly meetings for students and families of the Latino community to attend. The leaders pre-select all meeting times for after school activities with limited Saturday functions for the members to attend. Notification of all meetings is through daily school announcements, the school website, and published meeting brochures, which are given directly to Latino students, or by special mailings to the families’ homes.

Some of the meeting goals and services are to:

• create informational PowerPoint presentations related to school functions,
• contact and arrange for special public speakers,
• arrange cultural events field trips,
• run seminars to demonstrate district technology available to the students and families,
• provide families and students with information related to college,
• provide career information and testing,
• learn how to organize a college and career portfolio, 
• provide presentations on navigating the American school system,
• explain and reinforce the importance of family support for the student’s academic success,
• explain academic scholarships,
• discuss college entrance requirements,
• increase the number of Latino students talking college readiness courses from 53% (national average) to 90%,
• in addition, provide the participants an opportunity to share within the UNIDOS group questions and concerns related to their involvement/participation in the school community.

The Lake Park College UNIDOS program is unique. To support/or with questions about College UNIDOS please contact Serena Armas at (630) 295-5262, at east campus, Valerie McFarlin at (630) 295-5344, at west campus..