Dear {FIRST_NAME|Friend},

Happy New Year! Although we know the year ahead will be tough for education, we are encouraged by the support we've received for our High Five Program, which for just $5 per month, supports vital education programs, like Stepping Up to Algebra. This program addresses the vital connection between success in algebra and the ability to succeed in college and careers.

In the year ahead, our goal is to keep you posted about education issues that matter to you. We welcome your feedback too – so check out our new website and our Facebook fan page, where you can participate in the dialogue on public education.

In This Issue

• Give a High Five for Education
• Kick-off Event: SVEF Field Trip Program
• Save the Date: 4/16/10 SVEF Poker Tournament
• Education Forum Series: The Achievement Gap and Race: Is Silicon Valley's Global Edge at Risk? (Part 1 of 3)
• Event Wrap Up: Re-Imagining STEM Learning
• Support SVEF with Shop4Good
• January Teacher of the Month
• Event Highlight: SVEF Holiday Fundraiser

January 20
Kick-Off Event:
SVEF Field Trip Program
Presented by Target

January 26
Education Forum:
Race to the Top

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

April 16
SVEF Poker Tournament

View Events Calendar

Kick-Off Event: SVEF Field Trip Program presented by Target

Join us for an Open House at Silicon Valley Education Foundation to learn more about our innovative field trip grant program! Sponsored by Target, this program allows teachers in Santa Clara County to take students on field trips leading local institutions.

Date
January 20, 2010
Time
4:00pm – 5:00pm
Location
Sobrato Community Conference Center
Room Cupertino A
1400 Parkmoor Avenue
San Jose, CA 95126
Map of Area

Agenda
This hour-long event will give you the chance to:

• Network with other educators
• Learn about the SVEF Field Trip Program application process
• Discover the ways that SVEF and Target are supporting local schools

Bonus
Be the first in line to apply for a Field Trip Grant, which includes admission fees and transportation costs for your class (a total value of $800).

Who Should Attend
Teachers, principals and school administrators

Registration
This event is limited to the first 100 to RSVP!
Click to RSVP

Note
Light refreshment will be served

Sponsored by

Last week we announced our High Five program, which is a way to donate just $5 a month toward vital education programs. This summer we aim to put 1,000 middle schoolers through our Algebra readiness and college awareness program at a cost of $375 per student. Your $5/month tax-deductible donation will be pooled with others to help ensure more kids are prepared for success with math and on track to go to college.

We have priced the program at $5/month to be within reach for most people in the community. If you are a teacher or supporting public education in other ways and can't donate, please think about someone you know who can. People make donations based on the recommendation of their friends and family. Just forwarding this email to 5 others will help.

Sign up now! by making a $5 tax-deductible donation and putting "High Five" into the comments section.

Add your name today! Early High Five supporters include:

1. Rafi Ahmed
2. Tom Baker
3. Dan Bozzuto
4. Van Dang
5. Dave Dardis
6. Ted Dubbs
7. John Griffin
8. Paul Humphries
9. David Jones
10. James Jones
11. Neil Kozuma
12. Peg Maddocks
13. David Neale
14. Ma Bernadette Salgarino
15. Kevin Stone
16. Cora Tomalinas
17. Larry Volpe
18. Carl & Bertha Ward
19. Kristin Weber
20. Charles Wies
21. Chris Wheeler
22. Ellen Wheeler
23. Kathy Wheeler
24. Tom Zazueta

(If you don't see your name on this list, but believe you signed up, please contact jill@svefoundation.org – we recently had a server issue and may have missed a few names).

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

Sponsored by

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.

Date
January 26, 2010
Time
4:00pm – 5:30pm
Location
TBD
Registration
This event will reach capacity - register today to reserve your space.
Click to RSVP

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

Sponsored by Silicon Valley Community Foundation, we are holding a 3–part Education Forum series on the achievement gap – what causes it, the impact it's having on Silicon Valley and most importantly, how to solve it. The first of the three forums, The Achievement Gap and Race: Is Silicon Valley's Global Edge at Risk? will be held on February 26th at a location to be soon announced.

Date
February 26, 2010
Time
9:30am – 12:00pm
Location
TBD
Registration
Click to RSVP

Sponsored by

(from left: Imani Butler, Bryan Barajas, Matthew Kane (from Google) and Cindy Hernandez. Kids are all from Kennedy Middle School)

Educators and students joined forces to highlight the value of science and math last month (Dec. 3) at a forum on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education hosted by Google in Mountain View. While the adults hunkered down in one room for a serious panel discussion about STEM, several dozen students scurried outside in the hallway putting up math and science projects to show how they'd put their lessons to practical use. The hands-on displays illustrated everything from connecting math to music to incorporating science and math in urban planning projects, video gaming and sports. The students were from Redwood City-based Citizen Schools, which provides after-school academic programs for low-income children.

Here's a great way to support SVEF: visit Shop4Good, which can be accessed through SVEF's Facebook fan page, which enables you to search for your favorite brands and their latest offers, discounts and coupons. Every time you shop through Shop4Good, you help raise money for Silicon Valley Education Foundation. Every dollar counts and will go a long way in supporting SVEF's mission! Start shopping today!

Kelly Amyx
Fammatre Elementary School
Cambrian School District

The KBAY Teacher of the Month for January is Kelly Amyx, who teaches at Fammatre Elementary School in the Cambrian School District. This is Kelly's 9th year of teaching 4th grade at Fammatre. She says, "I love teaching 4th grade, which is why I have not yet taught another grade level." Kelly received her degree and teaching credential from Santa Clara University and comes from a family of teachers. Kelly will receive a Teacher Innovation Grant for her classes from the Silicon Valley Education Foundation.

Kelly says of her school and program, "Fammatre Charter Elementary School is a fantastic place to work and learn. The staff and administrator are incredible and truly care about all students. The students are kind, smart, considerate children that come to school to learn. The staff, students, and families recognize what a special place we have at Fammatre and this...

Read More

Sponsored by

(Left to right, SVEF CEO Muhammed Chaudhry, Cora Tomilinas, Congressman Mike Honda, San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed)

Thank you to SVEF Board Member Cora Tomilinas for hosting her annual holiday dinner to raise funds for SVEF. Her generosity and support go a long way towards furthering SVEF's mission of preparing Silicon Valley students for college and careers.

Did you know you can connect with the Silicon Valley Education Foundation in many other places than just our SVEFoundation.org website? We invite you to participate in our blog and to join us in Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.