This Issue:

Students miss 30 percent of what is said in the classroom simply because they cannot hear it.

A teacher’s voice needs to be 15 decibels above the ambient noise but, in most classrooms, the teacher’s voice rises only about four decibels.

Regular students struggle to hear instruction, as do those with complicating factors such as learning English as a second language, hearing loss, poverty, learning disabilities, sensory issues, attention deficit disorders and other special needs.

‘Hear to Learn’ is a parent-initiated and teacher supported pilot program that plans to install 100 classroom amplification systems in four K-5 LPS elementary schools - West Lincoln, Prescott, Sheridan and Kloefkorn. These systems consist of a main speaker with two microphones which project sound evenly across classrooms, making every desk a good place from which to hear and learn.

Anticipated benefits include higher test scores in reading/math, fewer disruptive behavior issues, decreased special education referrals and fewer teacher absences for vocal strain. With data from the pilot project, it is hoped that all schools would be able to participate in this initiative.

Thanks to parent Susan Stibal and teacher Beth Brady for spearheading this effort.

We need your help to make ‘Hear to Learn’ a reality. See the link listed to the right for details.

Kloefkorn kindergarten teacher Mrs. Kennedy wears a small microphone around her neck when discussing the “Alpha Friends” with her students.

Fall Newsletter2012

‘Hear to Learn’ Pilot Project

To make a gift to this project go to,www.foundationforlps.org/donate/give-a-gift

and specify The ‘Hear to Learn’ Fund.

$30,000 - Fill a school with classroom amplification systems $1,000 - Purchase one classroom amplification system $500 - Provide teacher training $250 - Sponsor two teacher microphones $100 - Provide a microphone for kids $50 - Ensure that kids hear their teachers

Support ‘Hear to Learn’

Teacher Gwen Adams had a passion for middle school students who could be motivated greatly by the boost of a better instrument. When Gwen retired from LPS after teaching instrumental music for 27 years at Whittier and Culler Middle Schools, she set up a scholarship fund at the Foundation for LPS to help students. Each year she enjoyed hearing from the scholarship winners until her passing in 2008. Luckily, her gift lives on. This year, her daughter, Connie Adams plans to go to Culler, meet the teacher and the students that received the Orff instruments her mother’s endowment fund provided for the class. Thanks Connie and especially Gwen for your commitment to student learning.

Blood Pressure Cuffs Needed at North Star High SchoolFor an exciting, hands-on experience students are in need of new blood pressure cuffs to practice their learned skills in application labs. These students participate in the Anatomy and Physiology classes that teach the cardiovascular system and the effects of having either high or low blood pressure.Funds Needed: $285

Arnold Elementary Kindergarteners Want To Explore the FarmDid you know 80 percent of the pumpkin supply in the United States is available in October? Act fast to help send 125 kindergarteners to the pumpkin patch to learn about how pumpkins grow! The students will learn about life on the farm and encounter farm animals on this trip.Funds Needed: $570

FLPS Updates Web and Goes SocialIn response to the devastation from the May 2011 fire, we received generous donations from our Foundation for LPS Board of Directors and Trustees, plus a $10,000 grant from the Cooper Foundation, to jump start the rebuilding of our technology infrastructure which was outdated.

As a result, we have launched a new www.foundationforlps.org website which is easier to use, featuring the latest information for alums and students. Also, we were able to purchase new software so students will now be able to search and apply for scholarships online, the entire process will be more smoothly managed from beginning to end. In addition, FLPS now has a presence

on Facebook and Twitter. The winners of the Gold Star School (Elliott) and the Marie Bourke Award (Ruth Ann Wylie, Prescott) were announced just shortly after presentation. Educator awards were posted with pictures of winning teachers. Alums all over the country were able to weigh in on these awards.

facebook.com/FoundationForLincolnPublicSchools

@ FoundationLPS

Foundation for LPS Welcomes 8 New Board Members

From left (Back): Chris Hove, Ron Romero, Joyce Lehn, James Bowen. (Front): Connie Duncan, Judy Terwilliger, Karen Peppmuller. (Not Pictured): Julie Bechtel.

Better InstrumentsRock!

• Cultivate an Interest • Nurture a Talent • Encourage a Vision

Sheridan Elementary Endowmenton FacebookAlums, teachers, parents, grandparents and others can go on the Sheridan Elementary Endowment Facebook page and make a donation to help students forever. Each donation is kept in the invested fund and only a percentage of the earnings is spent each year on teacher/student needs. Also, learn about happenings at the school. Go to facebook.com/SheridanElementaryEndowment today!

facebook.com/FoundationForLincolnPublicSchools

@ FoundationLPS

• Cultivate an Interest • Nurture a Talent • Encourage a Vision

Play a Role in the Future of Lincoln

Education

If you would like to make a lasting impact on future generations of students, a gift in your estate plan could be the perfect option for you. This type of arrangement allows you to make a gift now or after your lifetime, while offering financial benefits for you and your loved ones. Use our resources, articles and interactive tools online atwww.foundationforlps.org in the Gift Planning section to explore your options and find a plan that meets your goals.

Classic Story Books for Morley ElementaryFilled with delightful stories and captivating illustrations, the Board Book Story Collection is the perfect set of sturdy board books for young children. The classic collection includes, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown and Roll Over! A Counting Song by Merle Peek among others. The books will be used during large group reading time in classrooms.Funds Needed: $342

Be Part of the Technology Revolution at Fredstrom ElementaryTechnology is essential for preparing students for the 21st century. Teachers at the elementary school are eager to incorporate Tumblebook e-books into the curriculum via reading centers, classroom read-a-louds and independent learning to benefit over 500 students.Funds Needed: $284

Pop Culture + Classic Literature for Mickle Middle SchoolClassic literature references are abundant in pop culture movies, books and television shows: however, many students are unfamiliar with the classic stories and don’t understand the references. Teachers at Mickle Middle School wish to purchase 30 classic literature books to increase reading comprehension and vocabulary while introducing the correlations of classic literature and pop culture.Funds Needed: $342

Visit www.foundationforlps.org for more ways to support students.

“To some organizations, my gift would be a drop in the bucket but I know my gift to the Foundation for LPS will be transformational for students.”

Alum Ken Jones,Project Lead the Way

Why I Support the Foundation for LPS

A Message From Our PresidentLook how far education has come! In the 1700s, white males went to school for the three R’s – reading, writing and arithmatic. Today our schools are full of diversity and serve up a robust curriculum including health and sex ed, psychology, foreign language, pre-engineering, etc.

However, as the demand for more choices in education has grown, so has the pressure to get it all done cost effectively.

To ensure that the most urgent needs are being met, LPS has recently rolled out their first comprehensive Strategic Plan. The No. 1 Goal is increasing the 82% high school graduation rate three points by 2016. To ensure that all students reach their potential, LPS is considering a Vocational/Technical Career Academy to help students who excel in areas that provide a good income yet don’t require a college degree. Also under consideration is a plan to get us caught up on providing devices/technology to students who will be expected to work efficiently in paperless offices.

Clearly, schools can’t do it alone. They need our help. What a great opportunity for us all. I have no doubt that the Lincoln community will embrace what’s needed to give our kids the very best education possible.

HELP LPS STUDENTS GET‘FUTURE READY’!402.436.1612 ph402.436.1692 fax

www.foundationforlps.org

Music scores are the textbooks that help students learn how to play and perform pieces from Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, etc. Students had access to an LPS lending library of scores until May 30, 2011, when a fire roared through the Lincoln Public Schools District Office and burned one-third of the 9,300 scores available to students. Many full orchestra, full band, wind ensemble and choral scores were destroyed.

The LPS Music Department would like to repurchase the burned items so that students can have access to those music scores. This lending system precludes each school having to purchase their own scores and allows hundreds of students to use the same scores for years to come.

“This music is not only used by K-12 students in orchestra, choir and band but also students in five all-city auditioned performing ensembles like the nationally acclaimed Lincoln Youth Symphony,” according to Ray Lowther, LPS Music Dept.

Thanks to First Nebraska Trust which made a generous donation of $15,000 from the Dolezal Trust to help repurchase some of the destroyed music scores.

Music Library Needs Help

Sharon WherryFoundation for LPS President

3801 South 14th StLincoln, Nebraska 68501

Foundation for LPSBoard of Directors

Jennifer AbsalonJulie Bechtel

Bob BarthJim Bishop

James BowenBob Caldwell

Dick CampbellThomas Christie

Richard ClaussenNicholas J. Cusick, Chair

John DittmanConnie Duncan

John C. GeistChris Hove

Steve Joel, Superintendent Susan Keisler-Munro

Janet Labenz, TreasurerJoyce Lehn, Ph.D.

Richard W. Meginnis, Bd. of EdBoyd Ober

Jeffery T. PeetzKaren PeppmullerLaurie Boyd Petty

Ron RomeroLinda Robinson-Rutz

Jill Gradwohl SchroederJan Sheridan, SecretaryLisa Smith, Vice-Chair

Katie McLeese Stephenson, Bd. of EdJudy Terwilliger

Greg VasekSharon Wherry, President

To donate visit, www.foundationforlps.org/donate/give-a-gift/ and specify ‘Music Scores’.