Foghorn May 28 Meeting

Posted by Editor: D Bobko 
 
FOGHORN 
 
ROTARY CLUB OF HALF MOON BAY
MAY 28, 2015 MEETING
 
Program:  The "Big Lift"  
  
Meeting Notes - May 28, 2015
 
Program Recap - The "Big Lift" - Newest Coastside Education Grant
Article by Bill Johnston
Elizabeth Schuck introduced Keith Cernak who is the executive director of the Cabrillo Education Foundation and Agnes Chan, Executive Director of Coastside Children's Programs.   Elizabeth was bubbling with excitement following the kickoff event which had been attended by 250 people. The "Big Lift" is a program designed to facilitate literacy by focusing on preschool reading readiness. The funding grant was a collaborative project of the Cabrillo Unified School District, The Cabrillo Education Foundation and The CoastSide Children's Program . Elizabeth regards the creation of this program as the culmination of her career at Cabrillo Unified School District. The grant will provide $700,000 in annual funding over the course of the next three years. It was extraordinarily competitive. 11 needy communities were identified as eligible, only seven applied and only four were funded. The successful grant applicants included the Jefferson school district, the South San Francisco school district, the La Honda/Pescadero school district and our own Cabrillo Unified School District. The grant process included over 300 pages of application followed by live interviews.  The  presentation by Keith Cernak follows.
 
 
Keith Cernaknthen talked about the project, saying that thus far, they have raised $3 million in endowment funds en route to their goal of $10 million. Keith's background includes the creation of an entity called Partners which was a collaboration of school systems and other entities and it grew into the largest such institution in the country.
 
Big Lift involves a partnership with a White House foundation, The Social Innovation Fund, San Mateo County Measure a Funds and the Silicon Valley Community Fund (which is the largest community foundation in the country). Additional partners include Harvard University and the RAND Corporation. Half Moon Bay has been designated as a national demonstration site.
 
Keith noted that up through third grade the focus is on "learning to read" and that after that the focus is on "reading to learn". The disturbing statistic that he cited to us was that 55% of students were not proficient at reading by the end of third grade and at that number rose to 77% when we focused on low income/disadvantaged students. Students with reading deficiencies do not succeed in school, ultimately become financially unstable and are disproportionately incarcerated. The costs associated with dealing with adults who are the products of these reading deficiencies far exceed the costs that would be required to address these issues at an early age.
 
The three collaborating entities on a local level will be working together to develop a needs-based and outcome driven program including breakthrough opportunities such as computer programming. The school district brings to bear administrative expertise, the children's programs brings the preschool experience and the Cabrillo education foundation brings cutting-edge literacy programs. Harvard research and the RAND Corporation will collect data on the programs and provide additional direction. The school district contribution will include administration, implementation, management expertise, coordination and a coastside ready schools team. Elizabeth intends to stay on as a grant coordinator. Coastside children's program brings a 40 year history of working with families, expertise in early learning and a history of utilizing best practices. Cabrillo Education Foundation brings cutting-edge K – 3 literacy programs, teachers literacy professional development, informational literacy and kindergarten summer bridging.
 
Keith concluded by pointing out that while there is truth to the saying that "it takes a village to raise a child" in this context "it takes a village to educate a child".
 
May 28 Meeting Recap
Article by Ginger Minoletti
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•Call to Order – PP Rose Serdy standing in for Dianne who was at Kennedy Space Center in Florida
•Flag Salute - Kevin O'Brien
•Greeters and Inspirational Moment:  PP Kevin O'Brien; Steve Wilson gave the inspirational thought for this week.            
Induction of new HMB Rotary member, Linda Croce Anderson.  Linda was introduced by Dan Miller, membership chair. Dave  Andrews is her sponsor.  Linda is a Coldwell Banker Realtor and former member of the Menlo Park Club. Dave met her at a Rotary Means Business function, and since she had moved to HMB – invited her to join us.  Menlo Park’s loss is certainly our gain.
 
Happy/Crappy News 
Andrew Boyd-Goodrich shared good news about his son – in the Petite Finals for High School men’s rowing – they had the 7th best time in the nation, and the really good  news is that 6 on the team are Juniors this year.
John Evans – Stanford Women’s Golf team’s coach was a teammate of Poppy’s at Cal.  And tonight is the scholarship night at HMBHS and 2 $500 grants are going to Riley and Stephanie, our Interact co-presidents.
Dave Andrews updated everyone on the  Debunking plans.
Eric Shapira is happy to be back and will be presenting 2 scholarships from Rotary tonight at HMBHS
Warren Barmore said that thanks are due to our Small Donations Fund for providing a portion of the Leadership camp  fees for Lizzy Pyle, one of our RYLA students.
Rose Serdy shared about their trip to Germany where Mike was supposed to be best man for their former exchange student… And Kevin filled in the rest of the story:  they flew for 12 hours to be there; and, at the 11th hour at city hall, Mike was asked if he spoke Germa;, and since he didn’t,  the pompous city official called the wedding off .  After some scrambling, another best man was found.  And the couple was married.
Rose let us know that Ed Daniels wife, Kris, is critically ill and in intensive care.  Dianne is in contact with him via email, and he appreciates knowing we are there for him if needed; but right now, he said, family and close friends are taking care of everything.  Will let us know if anything is needed in the future. 

Announcements
Eric Shipira  has reached the level of RI Foundation Major Donor Award. Kevin presented him with his pin.
Ginger Minoletti made an announcement about the Small Donations Committee,  advising everyon that members were Bill J, Rose and herself.  Individual/group requests should be made in writing and only for one time projects up to $500. 
Ginger reminded everyone that the 1st of 5 Friday evening strolls will be held tomorrow night – 5/29 and Passeggiata Passoportos are only $25 and good for all 5 evenings.
Karen Larsen, Director of the Coastside RotaCare Clinic sent a message that the hospital will no longer be able to provide food for the volunteer medical staff on Clinic night. So they are looking for 1 or 2 more Restaurants to supply food once a month.  Karen’s note said that the following have already volunteered and included the schedule for our members to pick up and deliver the food: 
  • Pasta Moon will provide food on the first Wednesday of every month.  Kim Levin will have the food ready for pick up at 4:45 p.m.;
  • Tres Amigos will provide food on the second Wednesday of every month.  Marcella Contreras will have the food ready for pick up at 4:45 p.m.;
  • Currently no food, other than the one Round Table Pizza, on the third and fourth Wednesday's of the month;
  • It's Italia will provide food once a quarter, when there is a 5th Wednesday of the month.  Betsy will have the food ready for pick up at 4:45 p.m.
If you are able to help Sandi Winter locate 2 more restaurants, or know of any restaurants that would want to donate a dinner for 13-15 volunteers, on the 3rd and 4th Wednesdays of the month, please let Karen or Sandi Winter know.  Sandi's contact information is: sandi_winter@comcast.net (please cc me on emails to Sandi), her Cell phone is: (859) 229-7459.  Since the note from Karen, Rosi Fontana has contacted Mezzaluna, and Karen is following up with them, but nothing certain yet!
The Rotary Club of Menlo Park (Our Asst. DG’s Club) is conducting their 3rd Annual Taste of Menlo Park and Beyond on Wednesday June 3, 5:30-8:00 PM at Menlo College with 14 restaurants and 6 wineries providing tastes of their best food and wines.  The event will also include BBQ food, Jazz Band and a silent auction where individuals can win a flat screen TV or IPad plus other great prizes. The net proceeds go to the Rotary Club of Menlo Park Foundation College Scholarship fund.  Tickets are $55 each.
Offsite Lunch in 2 weeks, June 11,  at Cowboy Fishing Co. Dianne will be sending everyone a list of the menu options to choose from before hand in an email.  RSVP’s will be very important.