Presently, the Moreland Educational Foundation (MEF) is working to save key school programs that have been cut due to the California State budget deficit. The $38 billion shortfall has hit all of the State's schools very hard. For our school District, Moreland, that has meant cutbacks and adjustments.
Three programs that MEF feels very strongly about and is currently working to save are:
We feel that these three programs build an essential foundation that is key to the development and success of our school children throughout their lives. We also feel that the success of these programs has helped all eight of our District schools be recognized as California Distinguished Schools. We feel these programs are vital and must be saved.
Without our Library Specialists, our school's fine collection of books will deteriorate, become disorganized and, eventually, be lost. In addition, our children will suffer from not having the chance to learn how to use a library, how it is organized, how one finds books within the library for research and for the love of reading. We need our Library Specialists to maintain the library, organize book fairs, instruct our children on reading, research, and writing. We need to keep the love for books thriving.
Why have we chosen to support music in Moreland? Every one of us probably has different reasons why we are involved. It may be the shear appreciation of music, or there may be other reasons, such as studies that have shown that music is a catalyst for learning. In one study, for example, 5th graders who were enrolled in instrumental music classes scored higher overall, than children who were not enrolled. SAT scores have also been found to be higher for students who studied music in school. Music teaches us many arts, in addition to enhancing the academic areas of reading, language, and math. And, to top it off, Moreland School District has a long history of award winning bands and orchestras, with superior ratings. We must keep this program going.
We also live in the most technologically advanced part of the world. This is ' Silicon Valley '. It is essential that we use computers in order to function in today's environment. In order to prepare our children, they too need to know and understand computers. This is what our Computer Lab Instructors do. They help educate our children on how to use a computer in a variety of ways. They help instill the base foundation of computer knowledge so that our kids can excel in all that they do. And the Computer Lab Instructors ensure that the learning environment works, is up to spec, and ready to go for eager little fingers.
We have been fundraising since May 2003 to raise funds for these programs for each school year. We have made great progress and have saved portions of the programs, however, we still need your help. We have the opportunity to save additional portions of the programs for this school year, if we can raise the money.
Please help us reinstate these programs. Keep them alive!
Please make your tax-deductible donation to MEF today. Don't forget to designate Library, Music, Computer Lab, or General (where needed most) in the memo section of your check. Remittance envelopes are available in all school offices. Donations can be mailed to:
Moreland Educational Foundation
PO Box 110190
Campbell , CA 95011-0190
