VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS

Students and teachers at 19 schools in the School District expanded their horizons by working with an Artist in Residence from the Los Angeles Music Center. The artists came and spent 12 sessions with 4 classrooms at each school, and in the end presented a ‘culmination’ performance or show, depending on the medium.
Third grade students at Dunsmore Elementary worked with a theatre artist and wrote us letters about the experience:
From Amy – “The best thing Mr. Prather ever taught us was to use our imagination.”
From Arpi – “When the Drama Teacher comes everybody is well behaved and he is proud of us.”
From Frank – “He challenged us to practice tongue twisters without getting mixed up… I really enjoyed learning.”
From their teacher, Mrs. Toh – ”I appreciate your funding of the special fine arts program in drama…I’ve enjoyed doing drama for 25 years, but even I learned new techniques. He inspired the students to do their best.”
And from the teachers at Glenoaks Elementary - “The First Grade teachers are grateful to the Glendale Educational Foundation for the opportunity to participate in the Music Center Program. The Music Center Instructor was very organized and taught age- appropriate lessons to the First Graders. She emphasized world cultures through the various dances from Ghana, Germany, the South Pacific Islands, and Appalachia, USA. She further enhanced the children’s Social Studies knowledge with her use of maps and vocabulary. The students thoroughly enjoyed the experience and felt like "stars" on the day of the culmination program.”
Mountain Ave. 2nd grade teacher Chris Hoehner noted “They loved moving to the heavily rhythmic music, and to the beat of a drum. I personally would want lots of students to have this experience. It is so energizing. The kids would just sparkle after each session.”

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

GEF raised another $100,000 to support its Tech Tools for Schools as its second year goal. These funds are earmarked for the purchase of 21st Century teaching tools for the middle and high schools in the Glendale Unified School District, along with specialized teacher training to maximize the effectiveness of the equipment. Later in the school year, teachers will have the opportunity to share their ideas and train new teachers in these techniques. Additionally, science labs will be supported with a cash allowance to purchase needed supplies.

HEALTH AND FITNESS

For our third year of focus, GEF will concentrate on Health and Fitness. The School District has designed an aggressive program using state funds to address the much-publicized obesity epidemic among young people by teaching them fitness habits they can use as part of a life-long health program. GEF will supplement these fitness programs with what they need to be successful.