We would like to send out a huge thank you to all the volunteers who assisted at the Love of Literacy Conference on February 12 and 13. With your help, Reading for All and Salem-Keizer Education Foundation was able to hand out 2,800 books to classrooms, childcare providers and children’s homes across Marion and Polk Counties. We couldn’t have done it without you and truly appreciate your dedication to literacy and volunteering!!

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS

It is that time again.....Countdown to the Awesome 3000.
If you are interested in volunteering or for more information, click here.

Matt Smith - LCG Pence
Volunteer

By Lisa A. DeBruyckere

Big, burly full service general contractors don’t seem like your typical warm and fuzzy characters, but LCG Pence begs to differ. They’re all about supporting the arts, nonprofit organizations, and groups of people that make a difference improving the quality of life in our communities.

Matt Smith, a Junior Partner at LCG Pence, said his company believes in supporting community groups in order to help others achieve their goals.

“It is a way to give back to the community and contribute in a positive manner to the causes we support,” said Matt. “There are many areas that we give both time and resources to over the course of the year. We realize that many of those causes need the support of companies like us just in order to fulfill their respective missions.”

Matt currently serves as a volunteer of the newly formed Salem-Keizer Education Foundation Finance Committee to provide guidance as the structure of that group forms. His volunteer role fits his skill sets well.

“The needs of this committee fit well with the background and experience I have to create an opportunity where I felt I could make the most difference with the available time I had to give,” Matt said.

And give he does—all on behalf of the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation and for the benefit of students in the Salem-Keizer School District.

“I think the Foundation does an exceptional job of filling the gaps the school district can’t reach,” said Matt. “By tirelessly working to procure funding for various programs, the Foundation is able to provide opportunities for students they may not otherwise experience.”

Teeing up students for success begins with the dedication and commitment of Foundation and school district staff.

“In my short time working with the members of the Foundation, I have been very impressed at how hard each person works to fulfill the Foundations’ various goals,” said Matt. “Everyone is tirelessly focused on making a difference in the lives of the students, and they contribute in so many different ways. I can only hope I take in some of that spirit over the coming months.” Matt sees the fulfillment of these experiences as a positive in our communities and society as a whole.

“It may seem cliché to say that the kids are the future, but it’s true,” he noted. “We need to ensure that the most kids possible can have the most opportunities available to become successful in their lives. By filling the community with a number of students who have productively used the tools we could give them, we can expect great things to follow.”

233 Commercial St. NE Salem, OR 97301 Phone: 503-364-2933 Monday - Saturday 9:30 - 5:30 Directions

Please Join us at Where the Sidewalk Begins Mar 3, 2010 5-8 pm Celebrating 1 year!! Serving Cupcakes and hosting wine tasting from Cubanisimo Vineyards

Be sure to stop by Where the Sidewalk Begins for a fun pack of
Dr. Seuss Brain Games!!

STUDENT GALLERY

Highland Elementary School 530 Highland Avenue NE Salem, OR 97303 (503)399-3155

Clay Heart Plates
Teacher: Kathy Lord

There is enormous satisfaction in teaching children to express themselves using clay. Not many media are so tactile or responsive; students have so much fun squeezing and molding the clay, they don't realize that they are learning about shape, form and design. More importantly though, they are gaining creative self confidence that can be used throughout their lives. These heart plates were made by second and third graders at Highland Elementary School. Each student designed their own plate using stamps and painted them using brightly colored safety glazes. Most of the students made these heart plates for Valentine's Day gifts.

Hallman Elementary School 4000 Deerhaven Dr NE Salem, OR 97301 (503)399-3451

Writing and Art Projects
Provided by:
Enrichment Academy Students

This month we are also featuring assorted work from the Hallman Elementary Enrichment Academy. There are pieces honoring Martin Luther King Jr. as well as an array of art and story pieces focusing on everything from handprints to favorite colors and “all about me” stories.Be sure to stop by and see some of the fun things Hallman has been doing.

FEATURED VENDOR

What is a Feeling Smitten Cupcake Bath Bomb?

A regular Bath Bomb is an assortment of bath products molded into its most common form, a ball. When you toss a Bath Bomb into your bath water, it fizzes and dissolves, leaving you relaxed and your skin soft.

Feeling Smitten Cupcake Bath Bombs provide you with an exhilarating and sweet experience like no other in a cupcake outfit! These Cupcake Bombs are filled to the rim with great goodness that does the following for you and your skin:

• Softens the water. Did you know that water can feel silky smooth?
• Sweetens the air with no calories!
• Gives your muscles a well deserved break by relaxing them and you!
• It’s all about MOISTURE baby! Moisturizes your skin.
• Reduces Puffy Puff Puffiness.
• Increases the longevity of your bath. Not only because you want to soak longer in all the delight, but because these sweet ingredients have the power to prolong the “pruning” from soaking for longer periods of time.
• Removes toxins and grime from your skin.
• Once dissolved it becomes a liquid minion by helping your soap lather better.

All the above and more helping provide a nourishing antioxidant to your skin.

Relax in European Dead Sea Salts, Epsom Salts, Sweet Almond Oil, Citric Acid and High Quality Fragrance Oil. Only the best ingredients for these Cupcakes! Don’t be fooled by imposters, these cupcakes are all proudly handcrafted right here in the good ole’ U.S. of A. Since each one is made by hand there may be slight variation from cupcake to cupcake but don’t fear, there isn’t any one better than the other. All you have to do to enjoy this sweet treat is remove the wrapper, drop in the bathtub under running water and let the day melt away! These cupcakes look and smell good enough to eat…..but we don’t recommend it. They may also cause a slippery tub so be careful where you tread. Other than that, they should be completely safe for anyone (yes, even you with sensitive skin), including children. You can now enjoy all the sweetness without the calories!! We know they’ll leave you feeling smitten!!

Which Way Is Front?

By Ed Sobey, Ph.D

Doing an open-ended science activity sets a cognitive anchor. The “doing” is a real experience that provides a mental framework for attaching ideas and understanding. You can tell students that a balloon will move in the direction opposite to its exhausting air. But unless they mess around with a balloon, they really won’t get it. For true understanding and lasting remembrance, they need an anchor or concrete experience.

How many times have I seen teachers, college students and even graduate students make a balloon-powered car or boat and not know which way it will move? They can recite Newton’s third law, but when confronted with a real situation, they don’t remember it or can’t apply it. They have no anchor, just the memory of some words like an old saying or song.

Once the anchor has been set it begs students to attach new understanding to. Their minds have a place to attach the words of science. And, they will want to expand their new understanding to see if water-filled balloons behave the same way as air-filled balloons. What happens if a bendable straw or flexible tube is inserted into the mouth of the balloon? Does it work better to use a large opening or a small one? How about popping a fully inflated balloon? Will that drive a car forward? Without an anchor, there are no questions that drive additional learning.

We win the battle of science education when we create a classroom full of scientists. They will learn because they want to know.

How do you set the anchor? No lessons, no theory, cut to the chase: “Last month you built a car that rolled down a ramp. Now I want your team to add a motor. Use one balloon to propel your car as far across the room as possible.” Enough talk.

Balloons are cheap. Party stores sell them by the gross for under $15. Get 12” latex. Some kids are allergic to latex – others on the team can handle the balloon.

They will need masking tape and hot glue. Fat straws or milk shake straws (the fast food places provide a few) make nozzles. Better is vinyl tubing from a hardware store. Buy one foot of all the different sizes they have up to ½” diameter. It will cost you less than a latte. Students can hot glue the vinyl tubing to their cardboard cars. Later they can pull the glue off and re-use the tubing. Tape or rubber bands can hold the balloons onto the tubing or straws. But don’t take the time to explain all this, they can figure it out without you telling them. Empower them to learn by challenging them to do.

Provide a measured course on smooth floor. Use a piece of tape to mark every five feet or, go metric, every 1 meter. Insist that they measure their results and record them. They should also record distance and team names on the board so everyone can see. Have them do as many iterations as possible, each one with one change or improvement.

Ideas for further research?

Compare the distance a model will go with:

The same diameter tubing, but different lengths of tubing

Different diameter tubing

Someone will want to use two balloons instead of one. It is twice as difficult to use two, so promise them they can try two once they have a one-balloon model working.

Balloons can also power boats and rockets. Let the eager teams tackle these on their own.

References: Rocket-powered Science. Ed Sobey, Good Year Books

Loco-motion: physics models for the classroom. Ed Sobey, Zephyr Press

www.kidsinvent.com has full curriculum for car, boat, rocket and balloon activities.

Support Education in Our Communities
Become a Member of the Great Educators’ Circle

By Lisa A. DeBruyckere

Every day, we make choices about where we spend our time and resources, all of which seem increasingly limited these days. But the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation makes it easy through its mission as a catalyst to improve education programs in our district. The Foundation cultivates partnerships, energizes the public in support of education in our communities, and stimulates the development and use of inventive ways of reaching children throughout our communities with new programs and resources that align with the Salem-Keizer School District’s standards.

The Foundation created the Great Educator’s Circle Membership to allow people to contribute to education throughout the Salem-Keizer School District. The Foundation offers four levels of membership ranging from $100 to over $5,000. Each level is based on an inspirational educator.

“Let that would move the world first move himself” so said Socrates, the greatest of Greek classical teachers whose works are known not through his own writings, but through those of his students. The students were taught to practice the Socratic Method, in which people ask and answer questions that expose new ideas and further intellectual thinking. His critical thinking approach is considered a hallmark of student achievement, and is thus the highest level of membership in the Great Educator’s Circle. Contributions are at an annual level of $5,000 and above.

The John Hope Franklin Circle Membership level is for annual contributions from $1,000 - $4,999. John Hope Franklin, a professor emeritus at Duke University, has spent much of his life promoting racial understanding and reconciliation. He is perhaps best known for his book “From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African-Americans.” During his lifetime, John Hope Franklin was dedicated to the idea that “knowledge should be shared.”

The Anne Sullivan Circle Membership level is for annual contributions from $501 - $999. Anne Sullivan is best known as a special education teacher that opened the world to blind and deaf children through her teachings using their three remaining senses of touch, smell and taste. Helen Keller was probably her most famous student, whom she taught from age 6 until Helen graduated from Radcliffe College. Anne Sullivan Macy was a truly remarkable woman whose life and teachings remain an inspiration to all educators.

The Einstein Circle Membership level is for annual contributions from $100-$500. Physicist Albert Einstein represents this level not only for his achievements in quantum theory and relativity and being able to bring it to the common person to understand but also for his ardent humanitarian efforts for peace, freedom, and social justice.

Make a difference in the lives of the children in our district today and become a member of the Great Educator’s Circle. Join the GEC Movement for Greatness.

For more information about the Circle and the benefits offered by our Member Partners, see

http://www.skeducationfoundation.org/waystogive/pages/gec.

Introducing SKEF’s Newest Member Partner

By Lisa A. DeBruyckere

The newest owners of the oldest and most prestigious florist shop in Salem—Maria and Manual Palacio—are not strangers to education or community activities. Quite the contrary, Olson Florist serves first time customers to 40-plus year customers with the same high quality standards that defined the business when it opened its doors in 1926, and Maria and Manuel do so with an understanding of the important interplay between business and education in Salem and Keizer.

“We both were teachers before we became administrators, and we know the needs that teachers have in their classrooms,” said Maria. “When I was a teacher many years ago, I needed additional books, posters, and plants to make my teaching more exciting for my students, and the principal would say that there was no money for extras.  I, like many other teachers, ended up buying the materials out of my own pocket, for I knew that it was going to make a difference for my student’s learning, and it did.  I said to myself, ‘I am going to become a principal and I will give more money to my teachers for supplementary materials.’”

But when Maria became a principal, she realized there was no additional funding to give to teachers.  “In any given year, a teacher could only get $50.00 for supplementary materials,” noted Maria. “What could a teacher do with $50.00 dollars?  Most of the time, buy paper for the copy machine—and that was the end of the $50.00.”

But then Maria moved into district administration to help principals.  She said, “I wanted to give them more money so they could give more money to their teachers, but alas, I could not do it. There are a number of regulations that specifically tell us as a district, how we are to spend the funding given, and there is not much leeway for us or principals to support teachers with their creative lessons.”

But the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation can and does support and validate teacher creativity.  The Foundation offers grants to teachers who want to supplement, enhance, and enrich their lessons to achieve student success.

“The Salem-Keizer Education Foundation is like the ‘Fairy Godmother’ of teachers, and I am proud to be one of their board members,” Maria said.

She’s also proud of running Olson Florist, a Salem-Keizer staple in the community. “The rewards are making people happy,” said Maria. “Many a client has said that it brings a smile to their face when they see our arrangements.  Many customers call us and say that the flowers were beautiful and their wife or loved one was very happy.  We do flowers for births, birthdays, proms, graduations, weddings, funerals or better still, just because.  Every one of these occasions marks an important step in the life of the person.  In the case of funerals, it is the last time their loved ones can show with flowers how much this person meant to them, so we make sure that our flowers are all done with love.”

Maria and Manuel carry their passion for flowers and customer service to the work they do with the district education board. “If anyone looks closely at what the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation is doing to support the education of our students in the Salem-Keizer school district, they will find it hard to believe that all that is happening with so few people,” asserted Maria. “SKEF is a shining star in our community.”

           Of course, anything is possible with a magic wand and a little sprinkling of fairy dust . . .

Picture Perfect

Kari Withers - Leslie Middle School

By Lisa A. DeBruyckere

It’s so amazing to see what happens when you put a camera in the hands of a student that Leslie Middle School teacher Kari Withers has made “Picture Perfect” an integral part of her classroom.
Several years ago, Kari was about to take parental leave to have her second child;  her middle schools students planned a party in which students would bring in baby pictures and guess the identity of the student in each photo. Kari realized that some students had few photos of themselves, especially English Language Learners and low-income students.
What did Kari do?

“I wrote and received a grant from Meyer Memorial Trust for $6,000,” said Kari. “Using the funding from this grant, I purchased digital cameras, scanners and other equipment for students to use to create an iPhoto book detailing their own family history. Jill Canefax, a professional photographer came into the classroom and taught her students the basics of using and caring for the digital cameras. The students then worked with a different partner each session; taking portraits of each other using their newly learned techniques for making their subject comfortable, learning lighting, getting and giving positive feedback, but most important was the lesson in trust and respect.  After they completed these lessons, students were allowed to check out the cameras to take pictures of their families and personal activities.”

Students also wrote essays about different aspects of their families, including why their family came to Salem, how their parents or grandparents met, and a biography of an older family member.  Many students wrote in their reflections that they were surprised by the experiences of their family members, and without this project, they wouldn’t have known much of this information. These essays required them to talk to their parents about the past, something that isn’t always a top priority for students in middle school.

Kari also realized another benefit of this activity—students turned in their work!  
“In classes where only 60% of students turned in a given assignment, suddenly the percentage was closer to 95%,” said Kari. “The quality of their writing improved also, with many students meeting or exceeding the state writing standards on their family essays.”

Through this experience, students have created a family heirloom to share with other generations; past, present and future, as well as some real life skills in interpersonal communication, writing and photography.  More important is the connection they have developed with their own past, present and future, finding a new sense of pride in their family’s heritage and their life here.

To carry on the great tradition of the original grant, Kari applied for and received a teacher grant in 2009 from the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation, giving new students entering her classroom an opportunity to create a lifetime of memories through photos.

Hallman Elementary School 4000 Deerhaven Dr. NE Salem, OR 97301 (503)399-3451

Hallman Elementary Enrichment Academy

When the bell rings at 3:00 pm every day, almost 150 students, first grade through fifth grade, flood into Hallman’s school cafeteria for their afternoon snack before moving through the building to a variety of different classes. The cafeteria room always hums with excited voices sharing their day and asking supervising teachers and instructional assistants, “What are we doing today?”

The Enrichment Academy at Hallman has grown from a mere 75 students a year ago to the impressive number of about 150 this year. Providing before and after school programs in areas such as physical education, math, reading, money management, photography, art and help with homework. In retrospect, Hallman’s Enrichment Academy would not be what it is today without the help and support of SKEF and the inspirational leadership of a woman by the name of Shirley Certain.

Shirley came to Hallman as a Health Assistant three years ago. Last year she enthusiastically agreed to take on the position as Site Coordinator of Hallman’s Enrichment Academy. Besides her obvious skill with paperwork, she had a true love of children. She managed the meals, ensuring that everyone who sat down had food to eat, she figured out daily, weekly and monthly schedules, filling out every opening with worthwhile age-appropriate activities and qualified personnel, and providing end-of-session celebrations, complete with student presentations, cake, punch and community and parent support.

Earlier this past year, Hallman’s staff and students learned with mixed emotions that Shirley would be leaving to return to her native Oklahoma. She had decided to take on her other passion…..her family; helping her son and daughter-in-law with tending to their children on a full time basis. Shirley will be greatly missed by her Hallman family but they also wish her nothing but the best in her new venture.

Replacing Shirley in the position of Site Coordinator is Teresa Hartlerode. Prior to taking the position, Teresa worked tirelessly with Shirley in the program, focusing her efforts on morning and afternoon activities as well as assisting with snack time.

WELCOME TERESA, WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUED SUCCESS AT HALLMAN ELEMENTARY!!

Grant Elementary School 725 Market St. Salem, OR 97301 (503)399-3151

Grant Community School’s Enrichment Academy is proud to offer a variety of classes for the students to choose from. They are also the only K-8 bi-lingual school in the district.

One of Grant’s great partners is the Orchard View Veterinary Clinic. The clinic graciously allows a staff member to go to the school on a weekly basis to teach the students about the many different animals. The students learn to care for the animals, the proper way to approach an animal in the community that is leashed vs. one that isn’t, as well as the steps it takes to be a good and smart pet owner. The clinic is just down the block so the students are also able to go off campus for a hands-on experience with dogs, cats, birds, hamsters and any number of other animals. On February 26th, the students even went to the clinic for a presentation by the founder of the Hedgehog Welfare Society!!

Another class offered this year is “Let’s Plan a Party.” Through this class, the students learn the details of planning and hosting a party. As a class, they choose a party theme, plan the menu, sew table runners, construct center pieces, party favors and other assorted decorations. Each student then chooses one person from their community to invite as a guest. This guest can be a parent, aunt or uncle, grand parent, mentor, teacher or even their best friend. The students even create their own invitations and then mail them to their guest. The final day of class is when the actual party is held.

The above are just a couple of fun, yet real life skills being taught at Grant.

12 Hrs @ Corban College
12 hour Running Relay
May 22, 2010

The Cause: Corban College desires to raise funds towards improving athletics facilities and general athletics team budgets. The college is also desires to use funds to maintain the running course year round.

For more information or to register, go to www.gowarriorsgo.com

The YMCA of the USA program is designed to help kids’ ages 6 to 14

learn to swim and be safer around water

while also learning character, values and having a great time!

Space is limited so register NOW!!

Click Here for Details!

• Postage stamps
  
• Craft Paper - Prints
  
• Shadow boxes for Awesome t-shirts - Call for details
• Plastic totes with lids
• Menu printing needed - Call for details
• Grid shelves for Student Gallery/gift shop - Call for details
• Volunteers - Awesome 3000 - Many options available - Call for details
• Volunteers - Assorted office and clerical work - Call for details

Feel free to drop them off at Where the Sidewalk Begins gallery/gift shop at 233 Commercial St. NE Salem, OR. 97301 or call (503) 364-2933 to make other arrangements.

BECOME A SKEF VOLUNTEER

When the story of these times gets written, we want it to say that we did all we could, and it was more than anyone could have imagined. - Bono, U2 Lead Singer

It's the human factor that makes SKEF so successful. Volunteer your time to help make a difference to a student, a teacher, or another friend in the community. SKEF volunteers come from all walks of life, including senior citizens, retired professionals, service organizations, business partnerships, and students.

Volunteer opportunities can include clerical work, assisting with a class or workshop and preparing outreach class supplies, or working on one of our many great special events like the AWESOME 3000 or Crystal Apple Awards. If you have a special talent or skill you want to share, we will create an opportunity for you.

If you are interested in learning more about volunteering for SKEF, please contact us at info@skeducationfoundation.org or call (503) 364-2933.