Dear Parents,

I have exciting news to announce this month! We have received a grant from two foundations totaling $17,500.00 that will enable us to implement innovative math materials developed by the Mind Institute, located in Orange County. This is the organization that worked with UC Irvine on the ground-breaking brain research study, known as the Mozart Effect that identified the connection between early instruction in music and the increase in math scores.

The Mind Institute’s Math Materials are brand new and follow the California State Standards for all eight strands at each grade level. The materials focus on critical thinking skills and creativity, and they were developed in a computer game format that is familiar to our children. The materials are self-paced, which allows the individual student to work at her/his own learning speed. An additional benefit is that the materials designed for each math strand include higher level thinking appropriate for gifted students.

These materials will be used to enhance our current successful math program that relies heavily on concept development through the use of manipulatives and differing problem solving approaches. We will be one of the few elementary schools in California to begin next year with this program. I can’t wait to formally present this program to you when we begin school in the fall.

Another grant that we received earlier this year is from C.I.B.E.R., the Center for International Business Education and Research, in conjunction with UCLA. We received approximately $12,000.00 to begin to develop lessons and units of study for primary students in the area of globalization. The lessons teach the concept using the four arts areas. A small group of teachers and arts specialists are working with coaches and Dr. Robert Spitch, professor from the Anderson School of Business at UCLA. We are in the beginning phases of this project and expect to receive additional monies for this coming school year to begin the writing of the curriculum.

As you can see, the staff and I continue to learn and grow, searching for ever better ways to educate our children. LFCSA is truly a “Learning Community.”

Best of Living,
Karin