Issaquah Schools Foundation

Long version

ISF’s Calling for Kids 2008 Campaign Will Help Fund Project GLAD

Issaquah Schools Foundation thanks the hundreds of parents who completed the survey on Calling for Kids funding priorities. After tallying and analyzing the results, the Foundation, working with the Issaquah School District, decided to make GLAD (Guided Language Acquisition Design) training the focus of Calling for Kids 2008. The Foundation is thrilled to embark on a fundraising mission that brings more powerful teaching strategies to our classrooms and provides enhanced opportunities for powerful student learning and achievement.

So what is GLAD? In essence, GLAD is a program that equips teachers with proven instructional strategies that help them move all students to higher levels of academic achievement. GLAD trained teachers have been shown to accelerate classroom learning because of their ability to acknowledge and teach to a variety of learning styles.  Observe a GLAD classroom and you’ll find a space transformed by charts and words, and a teacher employing them along with individual and group participation strategies, chants,  stories and high-energy, fast-paced activities to keep all students engaged in learning.

PTSA Representatives had the opportunity to learn more about GLAD at a Calling for Kids Kick-Off on January 30^th. Calling for Kids Co-Chairs Kelly Munn and Deborah Parsons led a lively gathering that featured remarks by Superintendent Rasmussen, a discussion of the vital role PTSA’s play in Calling for Kid’s success and testimonials from teachers and parents who’ve benefited from GLAD. 

Calling for Kids’ goal this year is to raise $300,000—enough to help the District fund GLAD training for nearly half of all teachers (and 60% of all elementary staff), install a “GLAD Grad” training follow-up program for those teachers who have already received the initial training, and add two key GLAD trainers to focus on extending GLAD training to middle school and high school teachers.  The success of this campaign will allow the District to accelerate the implementation of this key training strategy by two full years. The impact on student learning will be tremendous.

You can help cultivate great teachers and great schools by participating in this year’s Calling for Kids.  The campaign is seeking a minimum of 1,500 donors with a suggested gift of $200 or more. Look for letters in the mail in February, or log on to www.issaquahschoolsfoundation.org now to find out more about GLAD and make your contribution. The campaign will conclude April 1^st and 2^nd with calls to families in the District who have not yet donated. 

 

Do You Know a Budding Artist? 

If you know of any pint-size Picasso's, ask them to submit artwork for the 2008-2009 Issaquah Schools Foundation Calendar. All current ISD students are eligible. To be considered, students must submit a COLOR COPY of an 8.5”x11” piece of art, with full name, grade school and teacher written on the back, to Lissy Mandel at the Issaquah School District Administration Building. The deadline is April 18, 2008. More information is available at www.issaquah.wednet.edu/pride/ISFcal.asp.

Short Version

ISF’s Calling for Kids 2008 Campaign Will Help Fund Project GLAD

Issaquah Schools Foundation thanks the hundreds of parents who completed the survey on Calling for Kids funding priorities. After tallying and analyzing the results, the Foundation, working with the Issaquah School District, decided to make GLAD (Guided Language Acquisition Design) training the focus of Calling for Kids 2008. The Foundation is thrilled to embark on a fundraising mission that brings more powerful teaching strategies to our classrooms and provides enhanced opportunities for powerful student learning and achievement.

You can help cultivate great teachers and great schools by participating in this year’s Calling for Kids.  The campaign is seeking a minimum of 1,500 donors with a suggested gift of $200 or more. Look for letters in the mail in February, or log on to www.issaquahschoolsfoundation.org now to find out more about GLAD and make your contribution. The campaign will conclude April 1^st and 2^nd with calls to families in the District who have not yet donated.

Do You Know a Budding Artist?

Submissions for the 2008-2009 Issaquah Schools Foundation Calendar are now being accepted. All current ISD students are eligible to participate. For more information, please contact Lissy Mandel, ISD at 425-837-7113 or visit www.issaquah.wednet.edu/pride/ISFcal.asp.