Current Programs
Literacy Programs • Early Literacy Support Program • General Program Areas
Kane Schools Endowment Fund • Scholarships
Literacy Programs.
My Access! is an exciting new online writing program which will be adopted by the Kane School District this next school year. The nationally acclaimed, innovative instructional program allows students to practice and revise writing assignments essays via the Internet. The program provides immediate feedback specific to the student's writing style, using artificial intelligence to score written pieces with accuracy and reliability greater than that of expert human scorers.
It has been shown to dramatically improve the writing skills of students from grades 3-12, by providing immediate, constructive feedback with specific, helpful suggestions for improvement. A pilot program in Utah’s Alpine School District yielded across the board improvement in English and Language Arts and increased enthusiasm among students for the art of writing.
The Kane Schools Foundation for Students will be purchasing this important program for the teachers and students of the Kane School District for the 2008-2009 school year. In keeping with its focus on literacy, the Foundation believes that this program will strengthen the overall language arts skills of students, as research shows that reading and writing are so strongly connected. Furthermore, research also shows that as language arts skills improve, so will all academic achievement.
Donors wishing to make a tax deductible contribution to the Kane Schools Foundation for Students to help purchase the My Access! program should contact Tracy Hiscock at 435-644-2555 ext.#8.
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Lake Powell school student enjoys new reading software
Foundation members accept big thank you note from Valley elementary students for their new reading rug.
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Renaissance STAR Reading assessment and Accelerated Reading Software. Since the fall of 2007, students at Lake Powell School have been able to participate in the Renaissance STAR Reading assessment and Accelerated Reading incentive software programs so popular with other students and teachers in the Kane School District, as well as nationally. The two programs work together to improve reading ability in students. STAR reading assessments are short, computerized tests that analyze each student’s reading capabilities, generating a detailed report that enables teachers and parents to better guide the students. They are given several times a year to measure reading growth.
Accelerated Reader (AR) is a computerized literature database which tracks reading practice for students. A student reads a book of his/her choice and takes a comprehension quiz on a computer at school, earning points. The computer adds the quiz results into a data base and generates a report for the student and teacher. AR has quizzes for tens of thousands of books on all reading levels, allowing the students to engage in large amounts of reading practice with high quality literature. Research shows that the increase in reading time which comes with AR results in higher test scores and learning for all students.
Lake Powell School, as the smallest and most remote school in the Kane District does not have the opportunities and resources available to other District schools. The Foundation was pleased to be able to provide this important software for the students of this school. The teachers and students have been thrilled with it, noting improved reading scores and increased enthusiasm for reading.
Books. The Foundation regularly purchases supplementary reading materials for the Kane County School District, such as Big Books, reading rugs, reading support software, as well as helping to fund teacher training programs in literacy, as part of the support of the Literacy Improvement Program of the Kane County School District.
Big Books are used for “shared reading” in the classroom, a method whereby teachers read the large books to smaller groups of children in a relaxed setting. Current research supports shared reading as an effective teaching method. It is an excellent way to introduce new concepts and to demonstrate the reading process. It promotes discussion, problem solving and critical thinking. It also promotes the exposure to quality literature by students who might not otherwise get that. Big Books also allow teachers to teach an integrated curriculum.
You can help the Foundation obtain these valuable
books
for the students of Kane County in the following ways:
 Memorial or Commemorative Gifts of Big Books ($50 per set) accomplish two significant goals at once: They honor and commemorate a loved one, and they help the children of Kane County . The honoree’s name will be printed on the inside cover of the books so that teachers and students using the books will be able to appreciate the generosity or memory of such person.
Contribute to the “Reading Makes Cents” coin collection boxes located at generous businesses throughout Kane County. Get rid of spare change for a good cause!
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“Reading makes Cents” Coin Box. |
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Its never too early to create
the spark that lights the fire!!
Early Literacy Support Program The Kane Schools Foundation for Students plans to put together Early Literacy Kits for new parents and the parents and caregivers of younger children. The Foundation will educate the public as to the importance of reading to babies and young children.
By Kindergarten, children should be able to:
| Scholarships |
| The Kane Schools Foundation for Students annually awards various scholarships to graduating seniors in the District, helping them to pursue their higher education goals. Many donors in the community come forward to fund these scholarships. In 2007, the Michael K. Alvey Memorial Scholarship Endowment was established to provide a permanent, annual $1,000 scholarship to a graduating senior who has demonstrated excellence in academic achievement, personal drive and a commitment to helping others.
The Foundation Board of Trustees is excited to be able to help our local young people pursue higher education, and appreciates the generosity of donors who make such things possible. Anyone wishing to sponsor a scholarship in any field of study, or for any purpose, should contact Tracy Hiscock at 644-2555 or foundation@m.kane.k12.ut.us
If you would like to help, please contact us |
Kane Schools Foundation for Students 2008 scholarships to Kanab High School Students.
From left to right- Justin Powell (Michael K. Alvey Memorial - $1,000), Jod Booker (Mosdell Mortuary $500), Danielle Johnson (Red Rock Homes- $500), Kaylee Quarnberg (Lamar & Carol Sullivan- $250), Kelsey Barber (Crescent Moon Theatre $1, 000) and and Tyler Robinson (Xpressweb $500) |
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Kane Schools Foundation for Students 2007 Scholarships to Valley High School graduates:
(l to r) Thempi Crofts - Kanab Center for Field Studies Science ($500), Peter Hoyt & Anna Bistline - Quarter Circle H Ranch Music ($500 each) and Austin Reese- Mona Reese Fullmer ($250) |
Make a donation to the Scholarship Fund!
| Kane Schools Endowment Fund |
| The Kane Schools Foundation for Students has established
a Kane Schools Endowment Fund to ensure the stability and future success of the Foundation in supporting the
students of Kane County. We invite you to invest in the future. |
Make a donation to the Endowment Fund!
General Program Areas The Kane Schools Foundation for Students intends to expand the programs and opportunities it supports. We welcome contributions for any purpose you designate and we invite your ideas.
Donate to General Programs!
