OFFICIAL E-NEWSLETTER OF
SEPTEMBER 2019 | VOL. 3, ISSUE 3
EMERGENT READERS
Investment in Atlanta Public Schools Paying Off BY HOLLY HABER
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mily Max, a kindergarten teacher in Atlanta, has been spotting more “Aha!” moments among her students. “I see that lightbulb moment more often where they say, ‘Wait, that’s a word! I know what that means!’” she said. Max credits the breakthrough to her use of the Orton-Gillingham method of teaching reading since fall 2017. She’s one of 1,500 teachers in Atlanta Public Schools (APS) who were trained in Orton-Gillingham thanks to a $2 million grant from the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation, alongside the Atlanta Football Host Committee, Chick-fil-A Foundation and Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, all of who worked together to fund the grant around the 2018 CFP
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National Championship, which was held in Atlanta.
Making Progress
The two-year-old initiative is clearly having an impact, especially on the littlest learners. Last fall, only 10 percent of APS students from kindergarten through second grade were on track for literacy proficiency, according to APS STAR assessments. In just one semester, that percentage more than tripled to 33 percent in the spring of 2019. Just as importantly, the percentage of students testing at the lowest reading level shrank from 33 percent to just seven percent. Full effects of the new approach won’t emerge until the kids who have been taught with this method
since kindergarten complete third grade in 2021. To be successful in fourth grade, students must be able to read, so it’s critical that they learn the skill. In fact, kids who can’t read by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out without a diploma, according to research by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. APS children in grades three through five have also made headway. Overall, 37.1 percent were proficient in reading last spring against 34.2 percent one year earlier. That represents a nine percent gain. “We are very happy with the progress,” said Rachel Sprecher, executive director of APS Office of Partnerships and Development. “Literacy is our 100 percent priority and laser focus as a district.”
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How It Works
Like many other urban school systems, APS’ students are predominantly disadvantaged, and up to 10 percent of them have learning differences. District leaders wanted teachers to use the Orton-Gillingham method because research showed its efficacy for learners of varying abilities. In addition, a 2016 study revealed that 70 percent of APS elementary teachers didn’t feel comfortable teaching early literacy skills. Administered by the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education in Michigan, Orton-Gillingham emphasizes phonics and incorporates touch and movement with resistance, such as drawing a letter in sand or writing atop a mat that necessitates using extra force to move a pencil across it.
HELPING MORE STUDENTS: Research has showed that the Orton-Gillingham method is a very good tool for students with varying abilities to learn.
and they learn strategies to break apart a word to be able to read each syllable.” APS trained kindergarten The kids get to do a lot with their and first-grade teachers in Ortonhands through tactile exercises, Gillingham during so they get a deep sensory week-long summer understanding of letters.” sessions in 2017, EMILY MAX followed in 2018 by instructors for the “The kids get to do a lot with their second through fifth grades. hands through tactile exercises, Last summer, the intensive so they get a deep sensory tutelage reached those who had understanding of letters,” Max said. missed previous sessions, as well as “And Orton-Gillingham gives exact district newcomers. In addition, 20 rules for reading and spelling, so if APS educators earned certification they have a learning difference and to teach Orton-Gillingham to their struggle to identify sounds, the rules brethren. help them figure it out.” “Our expectation is that this At the same time, other intervention is sustainable because students may advance into reading APS will always have teachers on multisyllabic words, Max says. staff who can train this method,” said “It allows a lot of differentiation,” CFP Foundation Executive Director she said. “They can match up Britton Banowsky. “It’s a repeating syllables to make bigger words, process.”
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Looking Ahead
The CFP Foundation plans to continue to support the initiative in the future. The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl is on also board to invest going forward, according to Matt Garvey, Peach Bowl vice president. “We are currently working closely with APS leadership to determine the best next steps in the OG training program in an effort to maximize its benefit to APS teachers,” Garvey said. The district is working on a proposal that will include training teachers who join the district, certifying more trainers, and providing opportunities for teachers to collaborate, Sprecher notes. “Our mission is to prepare and empower teachers for the benefit of their students, and this is a perfect example of that happening,” Banowsky said. “We hope to positively impact the lives of students in APS for a decade or more.”
OFFICIAL E-NEWSLETTER OF
SEPTEMBER 14-21, 2019
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xtra Yard for Teachers Week was created in 2015 as a national celebration of teachers, supported by the CFP Foundation and its college football partners. The foundation works in close partnership with the schools, conferences, bowls, ESPN, and education supporters across the country to honor and recognize great teachers for the entire week. Parents, students, staff and educators are encouraged to participate in Extra Yard for Teachers week by honoring their own teachers by creating their own tribute videos on Instagram. What teacher inspired you the most in your life? Tell your story, post and share it; tag #ItOnlyTakesOne and #ExtraYardWeek. Those who want to further support education through Extra Yard for Teachers can do so by adding the donation sticker to their Instagram story or donating directly through the CFP Foundation’s Facebook Page. The CFP Foundation is the largest sports entity in America that is supporting education. Its nationwide Extra Yard for Teachers platform has collectively invested approximately $30 million in support of education. The CFP Foundation Extra Yard for Teachers platform is successful in supporting and uplifting teachers by focusing on four major areas: Recognition, Resources, Professional Development, Recruitment and Retention. In its first five years, the CFP Foundation has supported more than 250,000 teachers nationwide, creating a positive impact for more than 5.5 million students.
EYFT DONATION STICKER IN INSTAGRAM STORIES Engage your fans everywhere in Extra Yard for Teachers week in a creative, new way. The donation sticker available in Instagram Stories enables your school to create a fundraiser to raise money for Extra Yard for Teachers directly on Instagram. We encourage you to build excitement around Extra Yard for Teachers and show your support for education.
USING DONATION STICKERS
Add a donation sticker to your story by selecting it from the sticker tray after taking a photo or video.
Search and select “CFPExtraYard” to support the cause.
Customize the name of your fundraiser and share it to your story. The fundraiser will last for 24 hours in your story.
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SUNSHINE STATE
$1 Million Commitment Invests in Florida Teachers, Students BY DAVID LEE
S
chool is back in session, and so is college football! The Camping World Kickoff between the Florida Gators and Miami Hurricanes launched the 150th season of college football on Aug. 24. The game took place at Camping World Stadium in Orlando—the site of the annual Camping World Bowl. During the game, the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation and Florida Citrus Sports announced a joint investment of a minimum of $1 million over the next five years to fund and support teachers and students in the Orlando area. As part of the announcement, nine Florida teachers were recognized on the field, including those in the community surrounding the stadium, as well as the Florida Teacher of the Year. In addition, teachers in attendance were asked to stand and be recognized.
LOCAL IMPACT: The effort in the Orlando area allows more of an understanding of what teachers and students really need. And local teachers will be honored at every game played at Camping World Stadium.
an amazing moment,” said Steve Hogan, CEO of Florida Citrus Sports. “Seeing that shared with thousands in the stands is really cool. To To see that affect the entire me, that’s the stadium—when you ask all teachers most important part of the to stand and be recognized and announcement.” see the looks on their faces of how Hogan said announcing the excited and proud they are—it’s an joint investment amazing moment.” and recognizing STEVE HOGAN teachers during the game was “To see that affect the entire a perfect way to show how much stadium—when you ask all teachers the two organizations care about to stand and be recognized and teachers and students, as well as see the looks on their faces of how to shine a light on the teaching excited and proud they are—it’s profession on such a big stage.
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The CFP Foundation and Florida Citrus Sports have a history of impacting the Orlando community, including the implementation of early literacy programs through reading centers and educator training. The partnership and investment, which includes $500,000 from both organizations, will involve projects in collaboration with LIFT Orlando, a non-profit organization committed to revitalizing the communities surrounding Camping World Stadium through affordable housing, cradle-tocareer education, health and wellness support, and economic viability. “We are thrilled to launch this significant initiative with Florida Citrus Sports and make a big
OFFICIAL E-NEWSLETTER OF
difference for teachers in the LIFT Orlando footprint,” said CFP Foundation Executive Director Britton Banowsky. “The results of the investments we have jointly made over the years have been very positive, and now we’re looking to take the effort to the next level.” Initial projects include: + Using DonorsChoose.org to invest in specific classroom projects. + The development of a STEM Garden used by local teachers and students to support enhanced STEM (Science, Technology, English and Math) learning. + Teacher recognition opportunities at all FCSsponsored events in Camping World Stadium. + New teacher recruitment programs. “We’re using the power of the stage that college football creates,” said Hogan of the partnership. “The College Football Playoff and National Championship drives interest, it drives investment, and it creates leverage. That’s why it’s so important.”
Community Focus
The localized impact allows the organizations to have a deeper appreciation of the needs of schools, teachers, students and residents. For example, all games at Camping World Stadium will recognize local educators. The STEM garden will be developed in a park right across the street from the stadium for local high school science programs.
SEPTEMBER 2019 HONOREE
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Isabel Renteria
indergarten at Veva Blunt Elementary, in Visalia, California, had been a difficult year for Tim Ruiz, who is on the autism spectrum and suffers from epilepsy. Tim’s behavior deteriorated, and he began to dread going to school. As first grade approached, his mother, Andrea Camarena, says, “I was already thinking, ‘I’m going to have to homeschool him.” But then they met Tim’s first grade teacher, Isabel Renteria. “Mrs. Renteria changed everything,” says Andrea. When Renteria met Tim, “My first thought was he needs structure, he needs consistency. He just needs to be in my class,” she says. Renteria gave Tim ways to feel successful at school and built systems that supported his physical and emotional needs. Renteria is known as “The Nurturer” among her colleagues; as she says, “Yes, I nurture, but I feel like I balance that with discipline and nurturing. I still expect control in my classroom. They love me for that, too. They love me for the structure.” Renteria enlisted the entire first If you were to walk into grade class to support the classroom now, you Tim, saying they all wouldn’t pick him out learned a lot about individual differences and anymore.” being part of a supportive NATALIE GARZA community. Tim, who thrived in Renteria’s class, is now in fourth grade and continues to succeed. “If you were to walk into the classroom now, you wouldn’t pick him out anymore,” said Natalie Garza, the school principal. “And academically, he has made so much growth …. It’s just phenomenal because we knew all along that he had it in him.” Renteria herself says that seeing Tim thrive among his peers nearly brings her to tears: “It just shows that hard work pays off,” she says. And indeed, it has for both of them. Read the full story at honored.org/honoree/isabel-renteria.
continued on next page
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Produce grown in the garden will be used by the schools and even for concessions at the stadium. It’s a dedicated agricultural learning space designed to be part of the community for years. “Fans of bowl teams from all over the country that come through this market will have the opportunity to engage around that story and learn more about what the College Football Playoff Foundation is doing for education,” said Hogan. “We fully intend to take some of that story and tie it into a physical representation of their work in Camping World Stadium.” Through the work of LIFT Orlando, the geographic focus of
the projects and initiatives help create pathways of progress for families to stay in the area. “Education is a massive part of that, but to enjoy those educational benefits, you have to be able to enjoy them for years,” Hogan said. “We’re excited about that geographic focus around education that provides all those other pieces of stability for kids.”
Funding Classroom Projects A specific aspect of the partnership is a commitment to invest $100,000 to support classroom projects in Central Florida. The CFP Foundation and Florida Citrus Sports will
each invest $25,000, and fellow community partner Fun Spot America Theme Parks will match those donations with a $50,000 contribution in conjunction with its Golden Rule Day promotion that raises money for area public schools. Golden Rule Day encourages others to treat people the way you want to be treated. As part of that celebration, Fun Spot America is offering guests discounted rates with $5 from each ticket benefitting schools in Orange and Osceola counties. Fans attending the Camping World Kickoff also received a code giving them access to Golden Rule Day pricing.
MIGHTY MAKEOVER: The CFP Foundation and the Bay Area Host Committee partnered with School Specialty to implement a Media Center Makeover for San Jose High School, unveiled last month in time for the school year!
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OFFICIAL E-NEWSLETTER OF
GOOD EATS
EXTRA YARD FOR TEACHERS A+ LUNCH HOSTED FOR NEW ORLEANS TEACHERS
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he College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation hosted an Extra Yard for Teachers (EYFT) A+ Lunch for teachers and staff at Audubon Charter School in New Orleans on Tuesday, September 10. The event was part of a series of special teacher appreciation lunches, put on by the CFP Foundation in partnership with the New Orleans National Championship Local Organizing Committee and EYFT supporters. Approximately 75 faculty were treated to meals provided by Chick-fil-A and Dr Pepper, as well as given swag bags full of goodies, courtesy of Entergy. “Celebrating and supporting teachers is one of our primary efforts, and there is no better place to do it than on school campuses where teachers and educators work so hard to make a difference for our kids,” said CFP Foundation Executive Director Britton Banowsky. “In essence, we’re getting a head start on Extra Yard for Teachers Week, our annual celebration of teachers. We’re thrilled to partner with the New Orleans Local Organizing Committee on the Extra Yard for Teachers A+ Lunch series.” “Our city’s teachers are leading our students to achieve great things and deserve our deepest appreciation every day,” said NOLA Public Schools Superintendent of Schools Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. “The A+ Lunches sponsored by the College Football Playoff Foundation are a small yet significant way to thank our educators for their hard-work and dedication that mold our students’ lives in a positive direction. As a former teacher myself, I want to encourage the entire community to thank and celebrate our educators day in and day out.”
The CFP Foundation and EYFT uses the popular platform of college football and the CFP National Championship to support education across the country. A primary focus of the efforts in New Orleans is teacher recruitment and retention in New Orleans public schools, since there has been a lack of stability in the teacher workforce. A key part of this effort is recognizing teachers. Celebration events have been planned to engage with all 2,700 teachers in the system, including a series of A+ Lunches. In addition, a Rock ‘n’ Bowl event is scheduled for September 27 and events around a Tulane home football game, among others.
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