Disneyland 4 class' enormous gains
Donation protected
My wife and I are teachers at Vista del Lago High School in Moreno Valley. We teach reading intervention with all our students entering high school with a fifth-grade reading level or below. Historically, our students have made great gains, well above what the program is advertised to achieve.
Every year we offer rewards to our classes for exceptionally high achievements as a team. If a class increases their Lexile reading level (Lexile is a measurement used for gauging reading ability) more than 200 points, which is more than double what they are supposed to be able to accomplish, at the end of the year, we will take them to dinner - usually John's Incredible Pizza. Several classes have reached that goal, but not since 2009-2010. We also offer to take the class to Disneyland if they average an increase of 300 points - the equivalent of a four-to-six grade-level increase.
This year, the students started of strong and never stopped. Individually and as a group they are truly special. One of the classes finally broke the 300 mark going up 325 points for the year and earning a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth. All three of the other classes earned dinner with increases of 216, 231, and 285. The previous record was 230 points!
Many people generously offered to help us, which was unexpected. However, we also understand wanting to show students that we care about them and their significant achievements. So we are asking anyone who would like to join in celebrating the students to help add a lunch to their trip where we can sit down as a team and celebrate. Our current plan is to go to the House of Blues Gospel Brunch at Downtown Disney. Plenty of food and a neat experience as well.
If we somehow raise more money than needed for dinner, we will apply it toward Disneyland tickets, and supporting future kids.
Every year we offer rewards to our classes for exceptionally high achievements as a team. If a class increases their Lexile reading level (Lexile is a measurement used for gauging reading ability) more than 200 points, which is more than double what they are supposed to be able to accomplish, at the end of the year, we will take them to dinner - usually John's Incredible Pizza. Several classes have reached that goal, but not since 2009-2010. We also offer to take the class to Disneyland if they average an increase of 300 points - the equivalent of a four-to-six grade-level increase.
This year, the students started of strong and never stopped. Individually and as a group they are truly special. One of the classes finally broke the 300 mark going up 325 points for the year and earning a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth. All three of the other classes earned dinner with increases of 216, 231, and 285. The previous record was 230 points!
Many people generously offered to help us, which was unexpected. However, we also understand wanting to show students that we care about them and their significant achievements. So we are asking anyone who would like to join in celebrating the students to help add a lunch to their trip where we can sit down as a team and celebrate. Our current plan is to go to the House of Blues Gospel Brunch at Downtown Disney. Plenty of food and a neat experience as well.
If we somehow raise more money than needed for dinner, we will apply it toward Disneyland tickets, and supporting future kids.
Organizer
John Francis
Organizer
Moreno Valley, CA
