SERF Ideas
Sudbury Education Resource Fund, Inc.
www.serfsudbury.org
Inspiring Education... One Grant at a Time
March/ April 2010
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SPRING COLLEGE FAIR
Saturday, March 27 at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional HS
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FREE admission!
Seminars: 12:30-4:00 PM
College Exhibits: 1:00-3:00 PM
Meet with representatives from over 115 colleges and universities across the U.S., learn
about Gap Year opportunities, and attend seminars led by
industry professionals.
SEMINARS
12:30-1:00
PM
 Keynote Speaker: Marty O'Connell, Executive Director of Colleges That Change Lives, a non-profit
dedicated to the advancement and support of a
student-centered college search process that results in finding a college that develops a lifelong love of learning and
provides the foundation for a successful and fulfilling life beyond
college, will give a talk entitled College Admissions: Looking Beyond the Rankings To Find The Right College Fit. A dynamic national speaker, Marty seeks to calm the
frenzy surrounding college admissions and to educate students about
finding a great college fit.
1:10-2:00 PM
- Successful Strategies for the SAT & ACT
- Study Skills for High School Success
- How Students Can Make a BA Marketable in Today's Job Market
2:10-3:00 PM
College Funding: What Are Your Options? Turning Down the Flame SAT, ACT, & SAT II: Understanding the Who, What, When, Where and Why
3:10-4:00 PM
Demystifying the Selective Admission Process How to Build a Solid School List Building Affordability Into Your College Search The College Admission Interview and Other Ways to Personalize Your Application
Click here for a complete description of the above seminars.
Visit SERF's Event page for more information on the Spring College Fair!
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Launching Your Child's College Search Process
How Parents Can Set a Supportive Example
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 by Katelyn Gleason Klapper
Currently an educational consultant at College Options, Klapper has more than 15 years experience in higher education and independent consulting.
The Spring College Fair is not only the perfect opportunity for
high school sophomores and juniors to begin their college search, but it is also a great
time for parents to think about the role that they want to play in one of their
child's first adult decision-making processes.
Parents
often ask me what they should be doing at a college fair. Before you even get
there I recommend doing the following:
- Encourage
your child to explore schools that they may not be familiar with
Have your child prepare
three or four questions to ask each college
During the fair let students explore on their own while you attend one of the 10 great educational and financial seminars presented by industry experts. By showing children that you trust them to take full advantage of the fair's opportunities,
you are beginning to establish an expectation that they will take ownership of
their own college search and application process.
Take a deep breath and step back. Recall for a moment all of the uncertainties you have experienced as a parent and reflect on the situations that, with perseverance, have resulted in positive outcomes. You will undoubtedly have many mixed emotions during this pivotal point in your child's life. It is how you react to your emotions that makes a difference in the health of you and your student's long-term relationship.
Help your child to evaluate strengths and weaknesses. The process of self-assessment is an important one, and many students do not know where to begin. Your thoughtful insight to their preferences, strengths and weaknesses can help them focus on what is most important to their college experience.
Be honest and listen. Share your feelings and frustrations about the college process. Be sure to discuss finances openly and express your expectations of your child for his or her contributions. Your honesty will help to keep the lines of communication open. Don't forget to listen to your child's own feelings and watch what is being unsaid.
Be open to options. Try to set aside your own experiences and biases toward certain institutions and keep an open mind. There are many choices that can result in a good match for your child--there is no "right" college or post-graduate program. Help your child understand that it is much more productive to have a list of 10 schools at different levels of admission probability than to hold out for one or two dream schools.
Be patient. Your timetable is not your child's timetable. A little nudging and questioning is appropriate. Letting your anxieties about the process invade your child's space will only increase their own anxieties. If you feel your help is not appreciated, suggest that your child use the resources of teachers, counselors and other adults.
Respect your child's individuality and privacy. You've known all along that your child is not you, and this process will make it patently clear. Be aware of your child's desire for privacy. Celebrate accomplishments modestly and realize that they may not want their selection process, scores, grades or college choices discussed openly.
Relinquish the driver's seat. Ultimately, the decision needs to be made by the child. Support their decisions as much as possible, so they won't feel as though you "forced" them to do anything. The sense of empowerment students enjoy in making an informed decision that is truly their own will create a much more confident transition to college.
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Grants in Action
SERF Funds Math Technology Equipment at LSRHS
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Technology is helping bring the study of mathematics to
life at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. The L-S math department recently won SERF
grant funds to acquire four
personal robots - called Scribblers - to use with its computer as part of a pilot project,two interactive white boards or SmartBoards, and five powerful
calculators equipped with a computer algebra system, as part of a pilot
program in advanced mathematics courses.
 L-S students Dan Birtwell, Istvan
Moritz and Manu Moritz use the SERF-funded powerful calculators and SmartBoard.
Photo by Hanka Ray
In
the robot pilot project, the math department assembled a team of four
students as an extra-curricular activity to demonstrate geometric principles. For
example, students could program the robots to move in a path shaped as
triangles with different length sides. The project gave the students
hands-on experience with geometry, consistent with a school-wide
initiative to engage students with a variety of learning styles.
Inspired by the robots, a math instructor and the student team
developed and piloted a new curriculum unit for a geometry course.
The SmartBoard, used daily by
seven math sections, "has been in use almost every hour of every
teaching day," according to L-S math teacher Hanka Ray. As a result of its success SERF approved a follow-up request for a second SmartBoard.
"Students have benefited from the visual enhancement of the
presentation of mathematical concepts," and the board also
provides students with "opportunities to manipulate mathematical
objects in a very tangible way," added Ray. The board's recording feature allows the teacher to post class notes on their web sites allowing a large number of students (and parents) to consult and download these
notes.
The powerful calculators allow students
to enter and view equations and math expressions on screen as they
appear in textbooks. "Students tend to enjoy learning with technology and often derive
pride and pleasure out of sharing their work with their classmates,"
said Ray, who applied for the grant. As a result of this pilot, the department is currently evaluating,
with input from both teachers and students, whether to adopt the
calculators for broader use by students in the department.
To read about other recent SERF Grants in Action click on the articles below:
SERF Funds Student Meteorologists
SERF Grants Fund First Grade Poetry and Other Innovative Literacy Projects |
Make a Difference in Your Children's Education
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 If everyone in Sudbury contributed to SERF...
It would
make the difference between a good education for our children and a
great one!
With the noticeable increase in grant applications and tightened school budgets, your contribution to SERF's Direct Appeal is needed now more than ever! It is not too late for you to make a difference in your children's education with your donation to SERF's 2009-2010 Annual Appeal. Contributions of any amount are appreciated!
Thank you to the many who have chosen to make a difference to our 2009-2010 Direct Appeal (see who has contributed so far). And thanks again to the many families and businesses who contributed to SERF during the 2008-2009 school year.
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SERF Board of Directors 2009-2010
Debbie Pullen,
Co-President
Karen Volo, Co-President
Susan Goswami,
Treasurer
Beth Winograd, Secretary
Lisa Weil, Chair, Marketing
Faith Chen, Co-Chair, Granting
Marisa Dawson, Co-Chair, Granting
Members: Betsy Cohen, Karen Darmer,Susan Ganio, Ellen Gitelman, Marisa Helgeson, Anne Hincks, Kim Kelly, Elena Kleifges, Stephanie Stein
Lapat, Ruth Miller, Hannah Pentz, Kim Prendergast, Dawn Solowey, Laura Tyrrell, Carol Zais
SERF is always seeking new Board of Director members. If you are interested in serving on this dynamic board, please contact Debbie Pullen at info@serfsudbury.org.
SERF's 2008-2009 Board of Directors at "Not Just Desserts," May 2009
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