Post on 22-Mar-2016
description
Table of contents
Words From our President
2
Leap programs are made
possible through grant programs lo-
cally and nationally. Their generosity
and passion for giving back to the
community has made it possible for
Leap to make a difference.
Below are two of our long term founda-
tion partners; Chicago Sun Times and
Polk Bros. Foundation.
Showing
Our
Appreciation
The Chicago Sun-Times believes that investing in the youth
of Chicago and its neighborhoods is an investment in the
future of the newspaper and its Web site,
www.suntimes.com. The newspaper’s charitable founda-
tion, the Chicago Sun-Times Charity Trust, provides finan-
cial support to organizations that help the city’s youth to
reach their highest potential by targeting programs that ad-
dress their needs and empower them with skills necessary
to evolve into literate and responsible adults.
The Polk Bros. Foundation was established by members of the Polk family
who owned and operated the Polk Bros. chain of retail stores. The primary
focus of the Foundation is programs that impact populations of need — par-
ticularly public school children and their families — in underserved Chi-
cago communities. Grants are made for both new and ongoing initiatives in
four program categories: social service, education, arts and culture, and
3
Wildcats Take Over LEAP
This spring, leap founder, Catherine Gottfred, Ph.D
gave an inspirational speech to Northwestern’s
graduating M.A. students in the Communication
Science and Disorders Department.
“She challenged new graduates in the SLP
field to go above and beyond and contrib-
ute to every aspect of the field,” said
graduate and new Leap team member,
Nina Smith. “She also said that I would find the cure to
dyslexia, so I have some work to do. “
Northwestern graduates con-
tinue to grow in our Leap
family. Along with Dr.
Gottfred, Northwestern
Alumni, John Lybolt, Jenni-
fer Preschern, Nina Smith,
Jordan Fox, Stephinie Bul-
tinck, Aisha Smith and
Courtney Horton are all
making great contributions to
our Leap success.
4
Wildcats Take Over LEAP Preschool Scientist...
Dr. Lybolt provided the keynote
address for the Annual Rush
Preschool Science Gala, speaking
for a half hour about the crucial
role of science in developing
critical thinking and emerging
reading schools. Parents were
recognized for the help they give
at home, making sure that
children are read to and
background knowledge is built
with a myriad of activities. There
were many laughs and squeals of
laughter as he demonstrated the
science of balloon releases, box
stacking, and paper airplane
flights in and over the crowd.
Children and parents agreed that
science for preschoolers can be
found in the simple, familiar and
sometimes messy --- sugar cubes,
drinking straws, and ketchup
bottles.
John Lybolt presented to the Rush
University Preschool Science An-
nual Gala May 6th this year. This
gathering celebrates the outreach
efforts of Rush to preschool class-
rooms at 16 Chicago Public
Schools. "Best preschool scien-
tists" from each classroom and
their parents attend an awards
ceremony where teachers', chil-
dren's and parent's efforts to fur-
ther science are recognized. Chil-
dren in their 'Benefit Best' - tuxe-
dos and suits (specially fitted for
this event) for the boys and topped
out dresses for the girls walk to the
stage to receive their award. Proud
parents and family video, photo-
graph and applaud their walk to
achievement.
5
Language For Scholars
Language for Scholars
teaches the use of Academic
English as a tool to help
scholars communicate ef-
fectively with a variety of
audiences. Leap coaches
lead workshops and pro-
vide immediate feedback
that help students learn
and sharpen their speaking
skills. By the end of their
respective programs stu-
dents made significant im-
provements, presenting
their ideas in an organized
way that utilized their as-
signed speech goals.
Leap Learning Systems com-
pleted another successful and
impactful summer of Language
for Scholars programming.
Over 300 students ranging from
middle school to high school
participated in workshops that
helped them develop effective,
real-world communication
skills that will help them suc-
ceed academically and on the
job.
This summer Leap had the
privilege of continuing to work
with program partners that in-
cluded the University of Chi-
cago’s Collegiate Scholars, the
Daniel Murphy Scholarship
Fund, Chicago International
Charter School , and Link
Unlimited. Leap was also happy
to host its second Family &
Friends Language for Scholars
program this summer.
Language For Scholars
This fall the Leap team will
have the pleasure of deliver-
ing Language for Scholars
programming to high school
classrooms within Chicago
Public Schools and at an Af-
ter School Matters program
site.
“It will make it easier for
people to understand me and
project a better impression of
my academic abilities.”-
Collegiate Scholars Student
on the benefits of using
Academic English
“It could benefit me in the
classroom by making me
appear smarter and more
confident. It will show the
teachers that I am a good
student.” -Daniel Murphy
Scholar on Academic English
It will b
enefit me in the
classro
om by showing th
e
teacher h
ow serious I am
about learn
ing.” - Link
Scholar on Acad
emic Englis
h
What it is: LASER (Leap’s After School EnRichment Program) is Leap Learn-ing Systems updated after-school curriculum with a professional development component for educators who work with youth in an after-school setting. What is our approach? LASER improves the performance among students who are strug-gling academically by coaching the after school leaders on effec-tive implementation of Language & Literacy skills. We focus on the four fundamental areas necessary for school success: 1) read-ing decoding skills, 2) reading comprehension, 3) language skills, and 4) writing skills. “The students learned that it is important to pay attention to the pictures and the rhyming pattern while reading a story as a means to predicting novel words or even just the subsequent events in a poem/story.” Christine A. Deyerler, BTH Leader What makes us different? We believe in sticking around to see our clients through the process of academic success. Our clients re-ceive standardized and authentic assessment both pre and post program for staff and students. We provide on-site training monthly, and we are available via phone and email for questions and/or comments. “I appreciate the trainings as well as the on-site visits. The learn-ing, teaching and help were of value”
Laura Coonrod, CUM Leader
LASER...
Gen
erou
s
8
LEAP INTO VOULNTEERING!
This year, our dedicated volunteers have
contributed over 100 hours to Leap and the
year isn’t quite over yet! We would not be
able to do all of the work we do nor reach
as many people as we do without the help
of our volunteers. Our
volunteers come from all
walks of life and many,
many educational and
professional backgrounds.
Whether you are volun-
teering for school credits
or personal growth we’d love to have you!
Visit our website and fill out an
application today!
Caring Sharing
Giving
Amazin
g
Helping
Gen
erou
s
Teaching
Mentoring
Learn
ing
Awesome Passio
nate
Faithful
Kind
Ambitious
Hardworking
“Leap was a perfect fit. I am
going to school to be a
Speech Language
Pathologist. Leap has
opened my eyes to a new
experience and a new aspect
that could possibly be my
future one day.” -Nadine
9
Building language and
donation ask
Building Language Throughout the Year: the Preschool Early Literacy Curriculum Leap Learning Systems' preschool curriculum is easily adaptable to any classroom but is best utilized when complimented with our Language Strategies training or participation in our Vocabulary Improvement Program (VIP).
For information on these or any Leap Learning Systems professional development program, contact Liz@leaplearningsystems.org. Order your copy of Building Language online today!
10
Whats next at leap?
11