A new school year has started, and the most exciting news at the Arlington Schools Foundation
is that we are about to disappear. But don't worry, Arlington's
students and teachers will still have our support. In fact, they'll
have even more support, because ASF is merging with the Arlington Educational Enrichment Fund to become the Arlington Education Foundation, a new nonprofit which will streamline and increase community funding for Arlington's teachers and students.
The mission statement of
the new organization affirms our commitment to Arlington's public
schools: Arlington Education Foundation works to support and advance
public education in Arlington. We fund systemwide initiatives and
creative new projects to enhance the educational experiences of
Arlington's teachers and students.
Join us!
We
hope you'll continue to support AEF. In fact, your first opportunity
comes in early November, when we invite you to join Arlington teachers,
administrators, and School Committee members, the AEF board, and
friends to celebrate the merger at the first AEF fundraiser (formerly the annual ASF fundraiser).
Please join us at Tryst, 689 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, on Monday November 9 from 6-8 PM
for sumptuous hors d'oeuvres, dessert, coffee, a cash bar, and the
opportunity to learn about the exciting projects ASF and AEEF have
already funded together, the Enriching Elementary Education Initiative,
and AEF's plans for the future.
You can register for the fundraiser on the ASF website.
Recent Highlights
As part of ASF's Enriching Elementary Education
initiative, first, third and fourth grade teachers from every
elementary school met this summer with Social Studies Director Kerry
Dunne, along with art and music teachers, to develop social studies
curricula that integrate art, music, and literacy activities, along
with new resources. Eight teachers further developed the first grade
curriculum on Folktales from Mexico and West Africa that was designed in the summer of 2009. Twelve teachers prepared new curricula for Teaching about Massachusetts History in the third grade. Fifteen teachers participated in a workshop to develop new programs for Teaching about North American Geography.
ASF funds continue to support Arlington's membership in renowned social studies organization Primary Source which in turn allows Arlington teachers to participate in Primary Source courses and study trips. In 2008-09, 26 teachers took courses on topics ranging from China and Japan, to new perspectives on American history, to library resources.
In addition, four teachers and administrators participated in study
tours to China and Japan. These educational experiences for teachers
will funnel invaluable new knowledge and resources to Arlington's
students.
Thanks to a joint grant from ASF and AEEF, this fall fourth graders
across Arlington are participating in a new curriculum about El
Salvador developed by the Arlington-Teosinte Sister City Project. Through this curriculum, they are gaining global awareness
by experiencing elements of life in another country through art, music,
writing, and literature. As a culmination to their studies, students
are writing letters to pen pals in Teosinte, which will be translated
by Spanish students from Arlington High School.
ASF provided funds for the purchase of The Think Tank: Thinking Mathematically and Problem-Solving
materials, a series of activity cards for mathematics teaching and
learning that boost students' natural curiosity with numbers, while
promoting creative thinking and reasoning skills and the application of
math concepts to real world problems. With ASF's support, the Math
Department was able to purchase kits for every grade level in each
elementary school, as well as two sixth grade kits.
This work is made possible by the generous support of Arlington
community members like you. Thank you for everything you do for
Arlington's schools. We look forward to keeping you informed on the
activities of the new Arlington Education Foundation.
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