The VERY Latest from Our CEO

Dear ALearn Friends and Supporters,
 
ALearn had a spectacular summer, and I hope you did, too!
 
ALearn just finished our 9th summer of transforming lives through math, college readiness and growth mindset. We served over 1300 students in all, with almost 700 in our middle school programs and 600 in our high school programs. Students stayed (retained at rates of 87% to 100%) and they learned, accelerating to the next level of math in the highest rates in our history - and significantly above any comparison groups.
 
This year innovation was the watchword: our professional development for teachers and teaching assistants (TAs) included new sessions on common core math for English Language Learner students from professors at Santa Clara University and UC Santa Cruz, sessions on co-teaching strategies (teachers/TAs), on culturally-responsive teaching, and on how to integrate active growth mindset into teaching strategies.
 
We piloted four new partnerships with other non-profits this year: Building Futures Now and Bayshore Christian Ministries in East Palo Alto, Unity Care in San Jose and College is Real up in Richmond, CA. We are honing the art of partnership and serving more students, too!
 
 
Students tour Santa Clara University
In addition, we kicked off our new program funded by the David and Lucille Packard Foundation called Catalyst to College. Located at the East Side Union High School District (Yerba Buena and Independence High Schools), Catalyst to College provides 4 years of academic and college coaching to Latino and Vietnamese students from low income backgrounds to become the first in their families to go to college. We launched this program with a Summer Academy at Santa Clara University (see story here).

 
This progress is possible only through the generous support of our donors, partners and advisors. We are so grateful to have the support of these corporate and foundation donors.

Warmest regards,
Kathryn S Hanson
 
 
Summer
Catalyst to College Kicks Off with Summer Academy
 

Summer Academy lunch aug 5 2016
ALearn launched its intensive Catalyst to College Summer Academy week at Santa Clara University, marking the beginning of Catalyst to College which supports students from 10th to 12th grade and into college. Starting with a parent meeting and including sessions on the value of a college education, financial aid, and what colleges look for in an applicant, students ate lunches in the dining hall and toured the campus. While the highlight of the week might have been visiting San Francisco's Palace of the Legion of Honor or the Golden Gate Bridge, it was the college panel that inspired these rising 10th graders.

Hearing the stories of fellow fist generation college students showed these high school students that their dreams are possible. "Listening to their stories makes me feel more motivated, I didn't
think that I could do it, but now I know I can," reflected Lily. "My parents didn't go to college, so they can't show me by example. But this program is here to help me."

"I don't know who to follow since I'm first gen. All these people are also first gen and we know them! They showed me not to be scared," said Jazmin.

Leaders in the making, these students are already figuring out how to pay it forward. "I want to set an example for my little brother." said Priscilla.
In Their Words - Students, TAs, and Teachers Reflect on Their Experience

How can we describe our classes and the impact they have on students and TA's? It's best that we hear their own words ...

Student Perspective: The part of MAP that I liked the best was ...
...the teachers! They make math feel fun and simple; they make you feel interested in math and are very nice to you. I would recommend this to my fifth grader friend. I loved this program, and made new friends along the way."

...that you learn but it's not all up tight and in your face. It's more calm than regular school; it definitely is an awesome experience."

...that it gives you a chance to learn more math and about college, it gives you a chance to learn how to work together. it definitely is an awesome experience."



 Student Perspective: My proudest moment was when I ...
...mastered the skill of multiplying decimals/fractions!"

... was able to find my mistakes in math problems and no one told me anything. I found it
myself."   
 
TA's Perspective: The strength of the MAP program is ...
 ...incorporating social emotional learning, college readiness, and content that students will encounter during the regular school year, which is a very powerful method for reaching students and helping them to succeed. This program also does an excellent job incorporating many methodologies and strategies that I will definitely take back to school with me."

Teacher's Perspective: My TA inspired me because ...
...she gave herself many responsibilities without hesitation, and showed herself to be a highly empathetic person who was quick to see when students required emotional support. Louis Pasteur once said, "When I approach a child, he inspires in me two sentiments - tenderness for what he is and respect for what he may become." My TA truly embodied these sentiments as she not only showed herself to be a wonderful caregiver, but also a person who seeks to inspire all those, especially children, that she meets."


Dream Makers Dinner, October 19, will Honor Ned Barnholt

ALearn is humbled to recognize Ned Barnholt as our Dream Maker Dinner Honoree on October 19th. Ned, an accomplished leader with a wealth of business experience, is the former chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Agilent Technologies and is a Trustee for the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. He is currently chairman of the KLA-Tencor Corporation and serves on the board of eBay and Adobe.

Ned will be honored by ALearn for his service and advocacy of underserved children and being a champion for
their future.

Join us as we recognize Ned and celebrate our Achievement Award Winners. Purchase your tickets now!  
Building Bridges using Algebra

Catalyst to High School students put their math skills to practical use during their creation of a hands-on project entitled "Building Bridges using Algebra."  Lead by teacher Jennifer Lewis at Mountain View High School, with Roberto Bugarin, ALearn Summer Program Coordinator and San Jose State University Civil Engineer graduate (and our summer coordinator for 6 years!)  He introduced students to simple concepts of civil engineering and had them build bridges to scale using popsicle sticks, and calculating the dimensions, costs, etc.

Gotta love examples of how students learn how math has real world applications!
Donors
Thank You to Our Newest Donors 
We are so appreciative of our corporate and foundation donors and the support they give us.

CORPORATE

Adobe
Agilent
Anomali
Blach Construction
Boston Scientific
Deloitte
eBay
Greenberg Traurig
HERE
Hologic
Lockheed Martin
Safeway Foundation
SanDisk
Seagate
Texas Instruments
US Bancorp

FOUNDATION
 
SV2 Silicon Valley Venture Fund
William and Charlene Glikbarg Foundation
David and Lucille Packard Foundation
Leo M Shortino Family Foundation
Reddere


 
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