East Side Learning Center

Unlocking each childs potential through the foundation of reading since 2001

The Bookmark
OCTOBER 2011

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 6 Ten Years and Growing!!! Index: 10th Anniversary Celebration New Sites Page 1 Volunteer Spotlight Page 2 Professional Tutor Spotlight Page 3 History of ESLC .Page 4 & 5 Thank You Tutors Page 6 Funders & Donors ..Page 7 Contact Information Page 8

10 Years of Gratitude The East Side Learning Center says thank you
April 7, 2011 was proclaimed by Mayor Chris Coleman as East Side Learning Center Day as we celebrated 10 years of service to the children of St. Paul. It was a day to celebrate partnerships and accomplishments. It was also a day to say Thank You and recognize those who have supported the East Side Learning Center in our mission of Unlocking each childs potential through the foundation of reading. Several hundred people gathered to celebrate and show their support. They represented a wide variety of supporters that have made ESLC successful over the past ten years Community leaders, friends, the School Sisters of Notre Dame, the St. Paul Public School District, donors, ESLC staff and tutors, Board of Directors, parents and of course, the children. . TO the School Sisters of Notre Dame for showing their support and dedication of our program by donating yet another $12,500 to help kick off the ESLC Ten For Ten fundraising campaign. TO the many donors and volunteers who contributed their time, money or gifts to help the ESLC succeed.

Children give a hand to ESLC partners.

Enjoy more 10th Anniversary pictures on our website at

www.eastsidelearningcenter.org
The ESLC wishes to say THANK YOU to many people and organizations for their support! TO the St. Paul community leaders who identified a need and the School Sisters of Notre Dame who stepped in to help fulfill that need by establishing the East Side Learning Center. TO the St. Paul Public School principals and teachers who opened their doors and helped identify students who would benefit from the ESLC program.

TO the ESLC staff, tutors and Board of Directors who provided endless support, guidance and spirit to make a difference in the lives of children. TO the many parents who allowed their children to participate in the ESLC and reinforced their learning at home. TO the students, our leaders of tomorrow, who enthusiastically strive to be better readers.

John A. Johnson Achievement Plus Elem School 740 York Ave St Paul, MN 55106

St. Paul Music Academy 27 Geranuim Ave E St Paul, MN 55117

New Sites Opening in Fall!

We Thank You Tutors!
In 2010-2011 the ESLC partnered with John A. Johnson Elementary, St. Paul Music Academy and St. Matthews Catholic School to provide free, one-on-one tutoring in reading for their primary students. This fall two more St. Paul schools will welcome the ESLC into their doors as a tutoring partner: Community of Peace Academy and HOPE Community Academy. Cara Quinn, Director of Teaching and Learning at Community of Peace Academy, expressed her enthusiasm for this new partnership, saying, I am so pleased that we've found a way to work with the East Side Learning Center!

St. Matthews Catholic School 497 Humboldt Ave St. Paul, MN 55107

S. Audrey accepts ESLC proclamation from Mayor Coleman

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Larry proudly shows his Mom what a great reader he is through the support of his tutor, Nancy Grace.

Volunteer Spotlight:
During the 2010-2011 academic year the East Side Learning Center tutored 178 emerging readers thanks to the dedicated tutors who served at John A. Johnson Achievement Plus, North End/Franklin Elementary, and St. Matthews Catholic School. All together these 213 volunteers tutored 5,500 hours! Of these 213 volunteers, 83 were returning tutors from previous years and 130 were new to the program. Volunteers represent a wide variety of institutions in the Twin Cities ranging from businesses and schools to community organizations. Each volunteer dedicated an hour or more each week to making a positive difference in the lives of the children he/she tutored. The ESLC is very grateful for the time these individuals shared with the program. To see a full list of these much appreciated tutors, visit

Meet Nancy Grace, Volunteer at St Matts and John A. Johnson: Nancy is a St. Paul native who has worn many different hats over the years from chemist and bookkeeper to a mother of four and volunteer tutor. In 2002 a friends referral and her own passion for reading led her to the East Side Learning Center. She has volunteered with the ESLC ever since. I love it! she says. It is so rewarding to teach the children at the East Side Learning Center. You can almost watch them learn to read. The children hold a warm spot in my heart. Meet Ker Thao, Volunteer at North End/Franklin: Ker was born in St. Paul and attended the University of Minnesota where she majored in Family Social Science. Her interest in elementary education and a service-learning requirement for her minor drew her to the East Side Learning Center, where she has tutored since January. Growing up with English as my second language, I never had the opportunity to have a tutor help me with my reading skills, Ker says. Even as a busy college student, I always looked forward to my two hours per week at North End/Franklin Elementary School. I love working with all the students and learning from each of them. Meet Randy Klinger Volunteer at John A. Johnson: Randy, an IT Manager at Coughlan Companies in Bloomington, has worked with the East Side Learning Center in different capacities for over two years. He learned about the ESLC through its partnership with Coughlan Companies and since then he has helped organize a Coughlan tutoring team, tutored at John A. Johnson, and serves on the ESLC Board of Directors. Randy volunteers with the ESLC because he believes literacy is critical. He says, Through oneon-one tutoring time and tailored lessons that are focused on the individual student, the ESLC supplements what is being taught in the classroom, and gives special, added attention, to teach and practice the skills needed to experience reading success.

2010-2011 at a glance
214 Children served 220 Volunteer Tutors 25 Part-time Educators 5,869 Volunteer Hours 6,251 Part-time Educator/Staff Hours 12,120 Hours of Tutoring 53% of Families participated in PACT

www.eastsidelearningcenter.org

Joseph pauses to thank his tutor, Ker Thao for tutoring him every week.

Crystal loves feeling successful as she reads to her tutor, Renae Rose.

Laurie Kinney wonders why the student she tutors seems to always win the game!

Brooke and Randy Klinger are proof that theres nothing better than sharing a great book together.

The ESLC uses one method used by public schools for evaluating mastery of reading and comprehension known as Diagnostic Reading Assessment (DRA). Our desired outcome is to have the children increase their reading skills by at least 8 DRA points if they attend 40 or more tutoring sessions.

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Meet Professional Tutor Mary Ann Renner

Hmmmmvolunteering as a tutor can I really help a child learn to read? Ask any volunteer tutor, and they will give you an emphatic YES!! Its easy to hit the ground running with a student even if you dont have an education background. The 50 minute tutoring sessions go quickly as you guide your student through a mixture of reading activities, phonics and games, all with step-by-step instructions. The fast pace and lesson content keep the student engaged and challenged but not overwhelmed. Seems simple enough, but why is it so simple? The answer: professional tutors like Mary Ann Renner. Mary Ann is one of ESLCs 25 parttime professional tutors who develop the lesson plans for the volunteer tutors and work one-on-one with the most challenging students. By assessing a students reading level and monitoring their progress, these educators target specific skills for a child to master. They incorporate these goals into personalized lesson plans that provide the building blocks necessary for that childs success. The professional tutors also prepare and share a Student Progress Report with parents at the end of the year. The improvement over the course of a year is amazing! Mary Ann is new to ESLC having joined the ranks of professional tutors in the fall of 2010. She decided to become a professional tutor as a tribute to her good friend, Mary Riehle, one of the first ESLC tutors who passed away in the summer of 2010. For years, Mary Riehle told Mary Ann that she would be a good fit for the ESLC and should consider tutoring there. However, it wasn't until Mary died that Mary Ann decided to take her friend's advice. Mary Ann keeps her student engaged Mary Ann is an experienced elementary educator. Since 1996 she has been certified as a grade 1 through 6 instructor specializing in music and language arts. She has been a Reading Recovery teacher for 7 years and an English as a Second Language teacher for 6 years. Like Mary Ann, all ESLC professional tutors are educators and hold a Minnesota teaching license or equivalent. Five of the professional tutors are members of the School Sisters of Notre Dame Community. Throughout the year, the professional tutors participate in a variety of professional development opportunities. This keeps tutors current with the latest literacy practices and puts them in the best position to effectively help their students. Topics range from lesson plans and curriculum development to motivation and cultural diversity. Attendance at symposiums on dyslexia, learning disabilities and mental health provide new insights in dealing with barriers that prevent a child from learning to read.

Mary Ann and her colleagues provide program stability and consistent, personalized student instruction, hallmarks of the ESLCs approach to reading. This caring group of professionals is the reason that the ESLC is able to fully leverage the numerous volunteers who want to spend an hour a week to help a child learn to read. So, if there was ever any doubt that you could help a child learn to read, just think about the wonderful support system provided by the ESLC professional tutors. Hats off to Mary Ann and her colleagues for their contribution to ESLCs success!

Why Mary Ann Renner Tutors

What is it that compels me to tutor at the ESLC? I step back and conjure up a typical tutoring session at North End/Franklin. I see spirit and magic. I see magic in the frequent high-5s as a student beats the clock while reading a set of vocabulary words or wins a Brainy Bear game, and magic in the encouragement and you-can-do-it in the voices of tutors as students struggle through a tricky reading passage. There is a spirit of camaraderie as tutors from all walks of life gather together for a few hours each day to share and spread the wealth of literacy. There is a collegial spirit among tutors after students leave and we share stories of growth or frustration and brainstorm strategies to help a student push through to the next level. This rich, spirit-filled magic happens because of the sheer hard work and expertise of the ESLC staff, who have gathered together this research-based combination of structure and materials-at-our-fingertips to support and maximize the learning time. I would highly recommend anyone to come and share in this magic. Youll be hooked!

Shamara shows her skills to S. Josetta Marie Spencer, SSND and her mother

ESLC authors in residence, Kristin Gallagher and Mark Ceilley, share their books with eager readers.

S. Sharon White, OSF affirms Alicia for filling her goal chart with stickers.

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The Story Unfolds

School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) partner with St. Paul community leaders to start free tutoring program on East Side of St. Paul

Frank Feinberg, John A. Johnson principal, visiting with the Open House guests on February 15, 2002 in the reception area

Receive 501 (c) (3) status as non-profit organization Open 2nd siteTrinity Catholic School 22 students attend first summer tutoring session at Johnson Elementary

Grant from SSND Fund for Mission to begin tutoring program East Side Learning Center becomes official title

S. Pauline Fritz, SSND and Mallorie, Gr 4, 2001

Johnson 3rd grade students increase MCA reading scores by 49% from 2003 to 2004 with ESLC tutoring support 42 students attend summer tutoring at Johnson Elementary

Roger is encouraged by his dedicated tutor, 2001

First site opens as an integral community partner of the innovative John A. Johnson Achievement Plus Elementary Separate incorporation Initial Governing Board

Expand to 3rd siteBruce Vento Elementary Publish The Case for Community Leadership Support FY 2004-08 50 students attend summer tutoring at Johnson Elementary

Visiting at the 2002 Open House, Rae Cornelius, S. Honora Elsen, SSND and S. Marge Rosenau, SSND

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50 students attend summer tutoring at Johnson Elementary and Bruce Vento Elementary Average over 225 hours/week of one-onone tutoring for at-risk children in St. Paul

Approval of three-year Strategic Plan Adopt Mission Statement:

Unlocking each childs potential through the foundation of reading

Expand to 4th siteNorth End Elementary 55 students attend summer tutoring at Johnson Elementary and Bruce Vento Elementary

S. Jeanne Wingenter, SSND and Donald, Gr 4, 2001

Regina McCarthy, Keng and Joshua, Gr 4, 2002

Relocate from Trinity to St. Matthew Catholic School Over three years, the percentage of children who increased their reading skills by at least 8 DRA points (expected outcome) jumps from 49% to 86% if they attend 40 or more tutoring sessions 73 students attend summer tutoring at Johnson Elementary

First issue of ESLC newsletter, The Bookmark Fifth anniversary and growing through support of community partners and providers 50 students attend summer tutoring at Johnson Elementary and Bruce Vento Elementary

Joan Prescott and Divondre, Gr 3, 2001

Withdraw from Bruce Vento Elementary Increase capacity at Johnson Elementary nearly double enrollment Serve students at co-existing school North End/Franklin 59 students attend summer tutoring at North End Elementary

S. Judy Bakula, SSND and Keng, Gr 4, 2001

Wilder Research evaluation Initiate PACT (Parent and Children Together) Identify 10 characteristics of an effective oneon-one volunteer tutoring program 56 students attend summer tutoring at Johnson Elementary and Bruce Vento Elementary

Pilot push-in tutoring model Tenth Anniversary Celebration Launch promotional video Ten-for-Ten fundraiser

Alice Vignalo and Javette, Gr 2, 2001

And the story continues

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Thank you volunteer & professional tutors The Word on the Street.
Many children do not have the opportunity to read at home with their families so it is volunteers who are key to helping unlock each childs potential through the foundation of reading. Thank you for touching the lives of the children you tutored, strengthening the ESLC program with your presence, and giving hope to St. Paul communities.

This is a great program and I enjoyed working here every day! Tutor

I read at home every day and now I can read chapter books. Before tutoring I could not read chapter books. (Patrianna)

I had so much fun! I definitely want to do this next year as well. Tutor

The East Side Learning Center is very organized, friendly and very encouraging! We are SO THANKFUL for the one-on-one tutoring service; it has made a big impact. We would not be able to afford a private tutor, so having this for Tyler has really strengthened and encourage him and us, too! , Parent I like it when we play games, do our Boing words and read new stories. Now Im reading a higher level and using strategies to help me. (Amari) In the beginning of the year Jose really wasnt too interested in reading much at all, but by the time of season change he had been reading more often and with confidence aloud. -Parent I used to not read. Now I reached my goal of reading! (Andre)

I have read 70 books! (Shamara)

I have enjoyed my tutoring experience very much! You are a wonderful team and have made this a very positive experience for me and my first grader. Thank you! -Tutor

My daughter was caught up with her class by the end of the school year, and it was because of East Side Learning Center. They make it fun for children and exciting. The games especially help the children learn and the sticker reward system is great!

It is an invigorating experience to work with the students! Tutor

I was impressed with how individualized the lesson plans were for each student. Tutor

Before reading was sometimes hard work. Now I only want to read chapter books! (Melissa) Im happy about tutoring because I LOVE to read with you! (Jesus)

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Funders & Donors

The ESLC is so grateful to the wonderful supporters who graciously contribute to the program. Your dollars provide the ESLC with the opportunity to continue helping all children realize success in school and feel better about themselves. With your help these children can attain their dreams and goals. All Funder, Donor, and In-Kind contributors are listed on our website at www.eastsidelearningcenter.org. Thank you Funders, Donors and In-Kind contributors!
Double your gift to the ESLC by qualifying for a matching grant! Help match a $20,000 challenge grant by the end of December 2011! It is easy with the enclosed envelope. The funder will match grants that meet any of the following criteria: Dollar for dollar for all new contributions Dollar for dollar for contributions from lapsed donors who have not given for a year or more in support of the ESLC Dollar for dollar for increased portion of contributions of those who donated during the 2010 calendar year

Ten-for-Ten Campaign
On April 7, 2011, the East Side Learning Center kicked off its Ten-for-Ten fundraising campaign to ensure that St. Paul children continue to receive free Thank You to all Funders and Donors one-on-one tutoring in reading. The campaign runs the duration of the ESLCs 10th Anniversary year, from April 7, 2011 to April 7, 2012. Ten-for-Ten is a fun and meaningful way for community members to get involved in supporting the ESLCs literacy efforts. Participants are encouraged to be creative! Here are ten ideas: Money (quantities of ten or $10 over 10 months) New or gently used childrens book (10 books or 10 boxes of books) Time (Tutor 10 hours, 10 weeks, or 10 months) Office supplies (10 reams of paper, Post-its, highlighters) Stickers to motivate students (10 stickers or 10 packages) Student snacks (10 juice boxes or supply treats once a week for 10 weeks) Instructional supplies (10 literacy games or $10 towards supplies) Gift cards or coupons for volunteer appreciation ($10 or 10 coupons) Store discounts (10% off) Tutor referrals (Talk to 10 friends/family members/coworkers) Need more ideas? Read about how others are joining the campaign: Ester De La Cruz, East Side Family Center staff at John A. Johnson, contributed assorted office supplies including Post-its, staples, and sharpies to keep the ESLC well-stocked and humming. Marilynn Kammueller, a volunteer tutor at St. Matthews and John A. Johnson, contributed ten packages of juice boxes over the course of several weeks to keep improving readers hydrated and refreshed. Sharon Marlow, an East Side community member, read about the ESLCs Ten-for-Ten campaign in the East Side Review and contributed two bags of gently used books to help eager readers build home libraries. Hannah McGraw-Dzik, a volunteer at St. Matthews, asked ten of her friends to contribute $10 and ended up with eighteen donors who gave a combined total of over $500. With the help of a matching grant from the Katherine B. Andersen Foundation their generosity has reached over $1,000! Check out the website for more information:

Technology Grant From Best Buy

This year the ESLC was awarded a $10,000 gift from Best Buy Corporation. This was the result of their team based United Way Campaign held last fall. We purchased a server and all software needed. The server will provide us a place to house our website and allow us to use shared files such as lesson plans, attendance records, student evaluations across all of our sites. We are very excited about this and should have it installed this year. A Big Thank You to Best Buy for their commitment to Community Service and their generosity to the ESLC!

L to R: Marge Kangas, Sarah Carey from Best Buy, S. Jill Laszewski, SSND, S. Audrey Lindenfelser, SSND.

Funding Partners
3M GIVES Volunteer Match Katherine B. Andersen Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation Catholic Community Foundation Coughlan Companies (Social Venture Partners Minnesota) Frey Family Foundation Greater Twin Cities United Way Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church Kinney Family Foundation Richard A. Newman Foundation Pax Christi Catholic Community Justice Grants School Sisters of Notre Dame SPPS Foundation Travelers Academic Intervention Grant Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation The Stablish Foundation Travelers Foundation Volunteer Match Unity Church-Unitarian of St Paul Many individual donors and memorials

www.eastsidelearningcenter.org

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Thank You For Your Support

651-793-7331 Audrey.lindenfelser@spps.org

East Side Learning Center 740 York Ave St Paul, Mn 55106

Our Core Values are summarized as

LEARN LOVING, affirming and respectful atmosphere EDUCATION that transforms, encouraging each child
to reach the fullness of his/her potential

ACCOUNTABILITY and careful stewardship of

community resources

RESULTS, driven by high quality, systematic

approach and academic rigor

Address Service Requested

NEEDS of children drive where resources are

allocated

Nonprofit org Us postage Paid TWIN CITIES mn Permit no 4035

Seth Saeugling and Amari share the magic of tutoring.

ESLC CONTACT INFORMATION

Executive Director Audrey Lindenfelser, SSND................651-793-7331 audrey.lindenfelser@spps.org Sharon White, OSF..............................651-793-7331 sharon.white@spps.org Rachel Boarden(VISTA) ...651-793-7331 rachel.boarden@spps.org Midge Breiter, SSND .651-227-5437 mbreiterssnd@usfamily.net Audrey Lindenfelser, SSND.................651-793-7331 audrey.lindenfelser@spps.org Jill Leonard.......651-442-9461 Jleonard02@comcast.net Audrey Lindenfelser, SSND.................651-793-7331 audrey.lindenfelser@spps.org Marge Kangas.651-793-7331 marge.kangas@spps.org http://www.eastsidelearningcenter.org http://www.Facebook.com/eastsidelearningcenter http://www.ssndcentralpacific.org

Online with ESLC

ESLC has a new and improved web presence! In this newsletter you will find multiple references to our website, http://www.eastsidelearningcenter.org. If you have not been out to it lately, we invite you to come for a visit and see whats there. In addition to our redesigned website, you can now find ESLC on Facebook and YouTube. Sign up and become a friend of ESLC or check out ESLCs promotional video created by InHouse Media for the 10 Year Anniversary. Finally, after you have visited us on the web, let us know what you think. Our emails are to the left. Happy surfing!

Program Director Overall Program Information Volunteer Tutor Information

Volunteer Board Membership

Contributions/Funding

Services/Materials

Newsletter and Website

ESLC Website / Facebook

SSND (School Sisters of Notre Dame) Ministries

Thank You ESLC Staff, Board , Committee Members and Lillie Newspapers for Your Time, Talent, Commitment and Contribution to this Newsletter
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