Orono Alliance for Education

Over the past several years, Orono Schools has strived to expand world language curricula and cultural learning opportunities to every student at every level.  This year, as part of that overall plan, K-2 students have had an opportunity to explore and learn Spanish.

Now, Orono Schools are seeking to offer this same opportunity to our 3rd-5th graders starting in fall 2012.  In order to achieve our goal of expanding the Spanish class offering to all elementary grades by then, we need your help in funding this integral program now.  Donating to the World Language fund-a-need is an opportunity to directly impact your child’s language learning during the important elementary and intermediate school years.  

According to Marilyn Pedersen (World Languages Chair for Orono High School and member of the World Languages Innovation Team), research shows that there are many benefits to learning a second language, including:

• Better understanding of English syntax and grammar
• Higher standardized test scores
• Greater knowledge of other curricular areas, such as history, geography, politics and religion
• Teaching children to understand and appreciate different cultures

However, to understand the real impact of learning a second language, we don’t need to look any further than our very own K-2 students, who attend Spanish class twice per week in the media center.  The Spanish teacher, Angela Stracke, engages her young students by teaching them Spanish songs, having them perform popular children’s books and utilizing technology to enable them to hear and recite the language on an individual level.

Thank you to the parents, teachers and community members who together have donated $60,000 to World Languages so far this spring.  In order to complete this fund-a-need, our goal is to raise an additional $40,000 by June 30th, which will allow the school to make necessary teacher hires and curriculum changes to add Spanish to the 3-5 grade classrooms this fall.  

If the additional funds are not raised, Spanish will be phased in one grade at a time, starting with 3rd grade, so that current 2nd grade students will have continuity in their instruction.  If the total is raised for grades 3-5 this year, then next year the Orono Alliance will focus on raising supportive funds to sustain this language program, as well as adding Spanish to the 6th grade classroom curriculum for the 2013-2014 school year.

Please consider making a donation today by clicking here. 

Or to learn more about our World Language initiative, contact Jeanne Cook, Director of Development, at Jeanne@oronoalliance.org.

View Photos taken by Devon Sween

More than $170,000 was raised at The Orono Alliance Gala held at the Metropolitan Ballroom on Saturday, April 14. More than 350 people attended the 1950’s-inspired event, which serves as the primary annual fundraiser for Orono Schools.
Orono Schools were founded in 1951 and the Orono Alliance Gala was a celebration of the 60th anniversary year. With live music from the 57 Chevy Band, beautiful 1950’s-inspired decorations, guests decked out in poodle skirts and leather jackets, it was a night to celebrate Orono School’s impressive history. The evening’s “Fund-A-Need” program focused on expanding and improving Orono’s World Language programs for all K-12 students, which will ensure Orono students’ ability to succeed in the global market. “This event was a wonderful celebration of our excellent schools and one of the most successful fund raisers we have ever had, which allows us to directly impact opportunities for our children. The Gala funds account for about half of the total donation that we plan to give to Orono Schools this year, so it was incredible to raise just over $170,000 during this event,” says Jeanne Morrison Cook, Director of Development for The Orono Alliance. “Funds raised by our fiscal year-end of June 30th, 2012, will directly affect students starting this fall,” Cook explains.

The Orono Alliance is thankful to the Gala Co-Chairs Kimberly Mueller and Christina Levitt, their committee, Orono parents, teachers, business sponsors and the community for this wonderful support of our students.

 Thursday, April 26, 7:00-8:00pm

Orono Middle School Auditorium

Without a doubt, the most important decisions teenagers make are the ones they face when their parents are not around.  In fact, parents may not even know about the challenges that confront their teenagers until much later.

On the evening of April 26, Dr. Steven Kahn (a psychologist in the

Twin Cities for more than 30 years) will return to Orono Middle School

with a message about how parents can have influence over their teenagers decisions even when they are away from them.  In this season of prom and graduations, this topic will prove to be helpful and insightful to all who attend.

Please RSVP by April 23 to Sheila Ross by clicking here.

Brought to you in partnership by The Orono Alliance for Education, Spartan Parent Association and Orono High School.  This speaker was privately funded by individual Orono parents.   

Orono Public Schools, in partnership with the Orono Alliance for Education, is seeking nominations for the Sixteenth Annual Orono Senior High School Distinguished Alumni Award.  Mr. David Benson, Principal of Orono High School, and a committee of past Orono graduates, have developed this annual award to be given during the Academic & Scholarship Night in May.

To be eligible for this award, the nominee must have graduated from Orono High School at least 15 years ago, and have made significant contributions to their community, profession or nation.

Click here for more information.  Nominations need to be received by the end of April.

Have you ever wondered what impact Orono’s world language curriculum has had on our students?  For Orono alumni, Lydia Kantor and Elizabeth Nelsen, the language experience at Orono High School ignited their passion for other languages and cultures, helped them to understand the world around them and encouraged them to pursue their language studies in college and in their professional lives.

Lydia Kantor credits her experience at Orono High School for providing her with a strong grammatical base and giving her a high proficiency in Spanish.  As Lydia describes, her language skills have made her “a lot more hirable these days, since the Spanish-speaking population in the U.S. is growing.”

Lydia Kantor, Orono ’09

Elizabeth Nelsen, Orono ’07

Elizabeth Nelsen says, “I owe my motivation, enthusiasm and success to a program that created a passion for language and cultures in my life”. Elizabeth adds, “Language acquisition starts in the earliest years of life, and I think adding language programs in elementary and middle school would help students to truly learn and understand the another language”.

We couldn’t agree more, which is why World Languages will be the focus of the “Fund-a-Need” at this year’s gala.

By meeting our fundraising goal, Orono Schools will be able to offer world languages and cultural explorations to grades 3-6, where currently there are no language offerings.  In addition, Orono Schools would be able to expand and enhance their current language offerings for all students and purchase necessary equipment for the language lab.

In addition, Orono Schools would be able to expand and enhance their current language offerings for all K-12 students and purchase necessary equipment for the high school language lab.

DONATE NOW TO WORLD LANGUAGES!

To learn more or to become involved in our World Language initiative, contact Jeanne Cook, Director of Development, by clicking here.