Lessonopoly.org is proud to partner with NBC Learn and the National Science Foundation to present Science of the Olympic Winter Games. Featuring exclusive footage from NBC Sports and contributions from Olympic athletes and NSF scientists, the series helps teach concepts like friction and angular momentum. Videos are complemented with lesson plans written by teachers at Academic Business Consultants for grades 6-9 and aligned to California State Standards. Visit www.lessonopoly.org to check out these great lesson plans!

In This Issue

• Learn the Science Behind the Olympics!
• Event Wrap-Up: Pathways to Prosperity Conference
• Kick-off Event: SVEF Field Trip Program
• Closing the Achievement Gap in Silicon Valley: A Three-Part Series
• Save the Date: 4/16/10 - SVEF Poker Tournament
• Save the Date: 6/7/2010 - 6th Annual Pioneers & Purpose
• Dare 2B Digital Conference
• Bank of America Student Leaders Program
• February Teacher of the Month
• Volunteer Opportunity: Read Across America

February 11, 2010
Kick-Off Event:
SVEF Field Trip Program
Presented by Target

February 26, 2010
The Achievement Gap and Race: Is Silicon Valley's Global Edge at Risk?

March 3, 2010
Education Forum: Race to the Top

April 16, 2010
SVEF Poker Tournament

June 7, 2010
Pioneers & Purpose

View Events Calendar

Stepping Up to Algebra Program Expands
SVEF Partners with ALearn and The Hispanic Foundation

SVEF is excited to announce our partnership with two organizations - ALearn and The Hispanic Foundation - to help more students succeed in Algebra, a key subject linked to college success.

SVEF's Stepping Up to Algebra program and ALearn's Math Acceleration Program will provide a continuum of support for students, who can participate over two years as rising 6th and 7th graders. A key enhancement this partnership brings is the incorporation of a college-education component, which includes college campus visits and graduate mentors in the classroom. SVEF is also delighted to be working with the Hispanic Foundation, who will be instrumental in reaching out serving a greater percentage of Latino students.

Date
February 11, 2010
Time
4:00pm – 5:00pm
Location
1400 Parkmoor Avenue
San Jose, CA 95126
Map of Area

(Martha Kanter and George Boggs teleconferencing in from D.C)

Nearly 200 top educators and business and civic leaders came together at the "Pathways to Prosperity" conference on January 21st to find solutions to raising graduation rates and better preparing young adults for careers and college. Speakers stressed the importance of creating pathways for college and job success as early as pre-kindergarten, encouraging parent involvement, better student evaluation, pursuing multiple paths, strengthening teacher development and measuring outcomes.

The keynote speaker was U.S. Undersecretary of Education Martha Kanter, who emphasized the importance of strong partnerships between education, non-profits and the corporate world to match students with jobs they have a passion for. SVEF co-sponsored the event with Cisco, The Harvard Graduate School of Education, the City of San Jose, Irvine Foundation and FSG Social Impact Advisors.

Closing the Achievement Gap in Silicon Valley: A Three-Part Series

Silicon Valley Education Foundation and Silicon Valley Community Foundation, with support from Hewlett-Packard and the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, are proud to present a 3-part series titled "Closing the Achievement Gap in Silicon Valley."

This invitation only series will being together key thought leaders to develop a set of local policy recommendations that business, education, and government leaders can support so all of our students are prepared for the 21st century workforce our region demands. For more information on this series, email Rigo Magana at rigo@SVEFoundation.org.

Sponsored by

SVEF is proud to partner with Invent Your Future Enterprises on Dare 2B Digital: A Conference on Careers for Young Women Using Computing Technology. Designed for girls in middle and high school and their parents, the conference features more than 20 hands-on workshops led by computing experts, and four educational workshops for parents.

When: February 27, 2010
Time: 9:00am - 3:30pm
Where: Foothill College, Los Altos Hills, CA
Register: www.dare2bdigitalconference.com

SVEF is pleased to support Bank of America on their Student Leaders® Program, an integral part of their Neighborhood Excellence Initiative®, and it offers community-minded high school juniors and seniors an invaluable opportunity to help change the world through the following benefits:

• An 8-week paid summer internship at a local non-profit
• A Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C.
• Learn how nonprofits, government, and business can partner to create a positive impact in our communities

Students must apply by February 17, 2010 at bankofamerica.com/neistudentleaders. Download Flyer.

Education Forum:
Race to the Top

Join us for an interactive discussion of this federal stimulus funding, and the requirement that links teacher evaluation and compensation to student performance.

Speakers (invited)
James Russell, Principal, Del Mar High School
Dean Vogel, Vice President, California Teachers Association

Date
March 3, 2010
Time
4:00pm - 5:30pm
Location
TBD
Registration
This event will reach capacity - register today to reserve your space.
Click to RSVP

On Tuesday, March 2, 2010, the National Education Association calls for every child to be reading in the company of a caring adult. Alum Rock Union School District is looking for 135 caring adults - parents, community volunteers and District staff - to read in Alum Rock’s elementary and middle school classrooms on this day. Contact Gloria Perkins (gloria.hayes-perkins@arusd.org or 408-928-6527) by February 15th if you would like to getting involved.

Debbie Da Silva
Joseph Weller Elementary School, Milpitas Unified School District

This is Debbie's 12th year of teaching mostly in grades 2-4. She says, "This is my fourth year of teaching at Weller and I love it here-I have found my home." Debbie received her degree from San Francisco State University. Prior to beginning her teaching career she worked in the clothing and textile industry. When her now 17 year old son entererd kindergarten, Debbie began to work on her teaching credential at National University and became a teacher. Debbie will receive a Teacher Innovation Grant for her classes from the Silicon Valley Education Foundation.

In 2007, Debbie participated in the KCI Earn While You Learn (now renamed MERIT) program. This is a 3-week summer program in which, teachers are taught ways to integrate technology into the classroom. "I have learned a great deal about technology and continue to update my skills... Read More.

Sponsored by

After hosting a great poker tournament in December with nearly 100 players, we're excited to announce our next tournament on April 16, 2010. This fun evening of Texas Hold'em will include prizes, snacks and drinks, and makes a great evening out. You can't lose! The more money you lose the better you'll feel about supporting public education.

Date: Friday, April 16, 2010
Time: 6:30pm – 10:30pm
Donation: $100
Registration: Click to RSVP
Location: Sobrato Center for Nonprofits
Room Cupertino A
1400 Parkmoor Avenue San Jose, CA 95126
Note: No Experience Needed
Map of Area

Please join us for Pioneers & Purpose on June 7, 2010 - the one event that brings together all of Silicon Valley in support of education. Last year John Chambers, CEO of Cisco Inc., was given the Pioneer Business Leader award for his significant contributions in the business and philanthropic worlds. We will announce this year's recipient shortly.

When: June 7, 2010
Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Where: Fairmont Hotel, San Jose

We look forward to celebrating with you on June 7th; stay tuned for more event information.