The new and improved Connect with a Classroom grant section is ready: Deadline Sept. 7, 2011.

The new Connect with a Classroom Grant website is NOW OPEN for you to create your profile and submit your requests for the 2011-12 school year.

In order to allow transition time for the new website and to provide the many new teachers who will be joining the school district with an opportunity to apply for a grant, the grant request cycle for funding will be open through the summer and into early fall. We appreciate your help in spreading the word! (Deadline to submit requests: September 7, 2011).

If you have never had a Connect with a Classroom account before, click here to create your profile and begin. Please note that you must sign up as a teacher only (even if you are a parent – that feature for the profile will be coming soon) and use your Collier County Public School email address.

If you are a previous Connect with a Classroom account holder, click here to log in and update your profile and begin your requests. Your username and password will be the same as before. Again, you must continue to use your Collier County Public School email address.

Please address your questions to TrudiValdivia@EducationForCollier.org or call 643-4755.

Creative titles and programs make up the Family Literacy and Outreach initiatives, which provide assistance to parents in their quest to support their children’s education.  Schools create customized programs designed to best fit the needs of their families.  Programs vary and include components such as literacy activities for families, curriculum nights, study habits preparation, and English lessons.  Students become excited about reading which is apparent when you see their faces in the videos you will see by following this link.

Parents gain an understanding of how to best support their child’s academic success by being involved in school activities and in creating a home environment conducive to learning.  In turn the school-age children have opportunities to improve and enhance their learning through activities that build on the school curriculum, and younger siblings are exposed to the activities that make them more prepared to enter school.

The Education Foundation supports several school-based programs with funding provided by Volunteer USA Foundation (funded by the Barbara Bush Foundation in Florida), The Scripps Howard Foundation and private donors.

Kimberly Lonergan, Principal of Golden Terrace Elementary stated, “Our parent participation in family literacy activities has increase dramatically throughout the 2010-2011 school year.  We began the school year with approximately 75 families involved in Building Better Readers and ended the year in May with over 400 families involved in Science Family Night.   Recently, Principal Lonergan slept on the roof of the school as a result of a challenge she gave her students to collectively read a million minutes of books this school year; this was covered in the Naples Daily News.

One of the programs at Manatee Elementary had families participate in an eight-week parenting class which concentrated on things parents can do to support and communicate with their children. Positive results of this program include improvement in their children’s behavior and grades!  Wendy Borowski, principal of Manatee Elementary said, “Our families have been provided opportunities to build positive and engaging parent/child relationships.  In addition, the grant helped promote literacy in the home, bringing reading to life for many of our children.”

Students and parents are enjoying the fact that some schools libraries have been open for their use on Saturday’s this year.  At Golden Gate and Pinecrest Elementary students are invited to receive extra reading instruction while parents who would benefit receive English language assistance.  All are encouraged to check out books to read as a family at home.  Karey Stewart, Principal of Pinecrest Elementary said, “Through this program not only did our student readers increase their vocabulary, but our parents improved their own English skills. Some even learned to write their names for the first time!”

Golden Gate Elementary continues to greatly appreciate the support they receive to provide informative, engaging, and “memory making” opportunities for their families.  Principal Marilou Andrews feels that parents play such an important role in their children’s life, so anything we can do as a school community to help them with this important job, is of high priority.

“It’s an incredible reward to watch our families grow and learn together,” said Liza McFadden, President of Volunteer USA Foundation.  “In fact, the great majority of parents enrolled in Volunteer USA supported programs use the reading strategies they learn in class at home with their kids.   For instance, 88% now ask their child to describe pictures in a book; 81% stop reading to have their child point out letters; and 71% have their child read to them. Now, that’s how we spell s-u-c-c-e-s-s!”

Phil McCabe, owner of The Inn on Fifth, has donated funding to The Education Foundation since 2003, resulting in 45 students having the opportunity to go to college through the Take Stock in Children Scholarship and Mentoring program.   As a longtime benefactor and advocate of this program, he realizes the wonderful impact the Take Stock program has on students – and for many, most likely, the best chance they have to succeed.

According to Mr. McCabe, the rationale behind his significant support for the Take Stock in Children program is first and foremost, his commitment to children with financial need – children who wish to excel – and children who can be successful in higher education if they had the financial opportunity.  “Coupled with that personal commitment is my highest respect for the Take Stock program, the professional management of Take Stock, the matching state funds, and consequently the very high yield I receive for my investment in the children,” stated Mr. McCabe.

The Education Foundation is able to purchase four year college scholarships with donated dollars which are matched through the Florida Prepaid Foundation Matching Fund.  As a result of Mr. McCabe’s generosity, 45 students will be able to realize their dream to attend college!

He also feels strongly about what he sees as one of the most important aspects of Take Stock in Children which is the support that students receive from their adult mentor.  These mentors meet with their student weekly throughout the academic year.

Phil McCabe is also an ambassador for the Take Stock program.  When the Naples St. Patrick’s Day Parade formally incorporated into the Naples St. Patrick Foundation Inc., a new non-profit charitable organization in 2010, Mr. McCabe shared his feelings about Take Stock in Children.  Part of the mission of the Naples St. Patrick Foundation is to award college scholarships to deserving young people in the region.  According to Jim McEvoy, President of the new foundation, “Phil’s explanation of the program sold me on making the recommendation to our board of directors to support the Take Stock program. We made our first scholarship donation to a matching scholarship in May of 2011 and plan to partner in Take Stock in Children for many years to come.”

The impact Phil McCabe is making through his generosity is apparent when you read this excerpt from a thank you note written by one of this year’s students whose scholarship he sponsored.  “I cannot say how appreciative I am for all that you have done for me. Your generous donation has given me more than just a college scholarship; it gave me hope when I needed it the most. It gave me the push I needed to change my outlook on life, and begin planning a brighter future for myself.  Thank you for giving me the push I needed to move towards my very own bright and happy future.”

Thank you to Phil McCabe for your generous support and dedication to Collier County students.

Photo Caption:  Phil McCabe with six 2011 Take Stock in Children graduates for whom he sponsored scholarships