2010marks the fifth anniversary of GLO Summer Adventures (GSA). The program has provided great summer experiences and memories for over 1000 children, thanks to a strong community presence, our outreach efforts and positive word of mouth conversations.
 
In recognition of this exciting milestone, I wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate the program by highlighting three key features of GSA 2010: 1) our fabulous Morning "Magic" Classes, 2) our Fun-Filled Field Trips, and 3) our Extended Care Hours.
 
Morning "Magic" Classes: Keeping Young Minds Engaged
Quality summer programs are important providers of continuing education for children, helping to bridge the gap between the end of one school year and the beginning of the next. We at GLO Summer Adventures have designed a program which will keep children's minds engaged and growing during the summer months. One way that we do this is through our morning "magic" classes. These classes are geared toward children's interests -as indicated on our youth survey conducted earlier this year- and cover a wide variety of topics. These classes are designed to capture children's attention and imagination and are held at the start of the day when children's minds are most energetic and open to learning.
 
Field Trips: Community Based Learning
Another key aspect of GSA's ability to bridge the educational gap for children during the summer is our field trip schedule. Field trips are a critical component of our summer program for the important social and recreational education opportunities they provide. The benefits to the children are extensive and far-reaching and include the opportunity to:
·  Visit new sites and destinations they might not have had the opportunity to visit during the school-year.
·  Help develop critical life skills such as traffic and pedestrian safety, reading street signs and using public transportation.
·  Experience and explore fun sites and destinations with friends.
·  Gain hands-on experience which reinforces lessons learned during Morning Magic Classes and in the school year classroom.
 
Field trips allow children to link their school and educational experiences with an adventure in the community. This year, our program will be based at West Portal Elementary School, a wonderful, centralized location which will reduce field trip travel time so that more time can be spent at the destinations.

Morning and Afternoon Extended Care: Benefits for Working Families
Another highlight of the GSA 2010 program that I would like to draw attention to is our Morning/Afternoon Extended Care. In 1982, GLO was originally created as a non-profit by working families. Until this day, GLO maintains programming that is friendly and convenient for working families. By extending our program hours to 7am-6pm, we are providing working parent/guardians with flexibility and security knowing their children will receive a healthy breakfast in the morning and are being supervised in a safe place until they can be picked up in the evening. Children also benefit greatly from extended afternoon care. They are able to spend more time with friends, be engaged in enrichment activities and they are given the opportunity to warm up and prepare themselves for the day and cool down at the end of the day on their own terms.
 
We hope you will join us in celebrating GSA's fifth anniversary and consider the program for your child's summer fun and learning needs! Look out for the GLO Summer Adventures brochure in February 2010! 

Juan Miranda, Assistant Director
Hello! My name is Juan Miranda. I am the GLO Summer Adventures 2010 Program Assistant Director. Last summer I had an amazing time working as a teacher. Summer is time for adventure and fun. I am excited to help build a summer adventure that will inspire and create unforgettable memories for all. I look forward to working with a talented group of people that are prepared to bring enrichment and enthusiasm throughout this summer. Lets get the adventure started!


5th/6th Grade teacher: Sara Garcia
Hello my name is Sara Garcia and I have been working for GLO for three years. I am currently a student at City College and I am hoping to be a Youth Counselor or Outreach Worker for Adolescence some day. I really enjoy working with youth and am excited to start my second summer with the 5th and 6th graders. I am also excited to teach them new skills and learn from them as well. Youth are an important part of the future decisions for the world and I look forward to the upcoming adventures.


 
Morning Helper and Breakfast Chef: Chablis Scott
Hey ladies and gentlemen boys and girls,
My name is Chablis Scott. I have been working for GLO for the past 3 years. I have been working with kids for the past 12 years. I have an 8 year old son that attends GLO during the school year as well as the summer. He says his favorite GLO site is Alvarado.
I will be here bright and early in the morning to get all of you in the groove and ready to start your day. What I will bring to the program is a great meal for your stomach that I will prepare daily. That is right! I am your breakfast lady. So be prepared to eat a delicious breakfast every day!
 
Kinder/1st Grade Teacher's Aide: Angel Peraza
Hello,
My name is Angel and I have worked with GLO for the past 3 ½ years and am excited to work my fourth year with GSA. I have been waiting for the summer because it is a very different experience from the regular school year. I can't wait for all of the field trips and all of the fun that we have planned.




YLC Teacher & Teacher's Aide. : Zane Morris
Zane Morris is the Teacher's Aide for those approaching the 5th and 6th grades. He is also the teacher for the Youth Leadership Circle. The Y.L.C. is a group effort with the eldest GSA students to foster a creative approach to community outreach, further helping the student's understand their potential influence on their community. Zane is in the process of completing his second year with GLO at Fairmount Elementary in the outer Mission as a teacher's aide in the 4th/5th grade. He is thrilled about the approaching GSA season, as he feels that last summer was a great alternative GLO experience, in addition to refining his skills at developing lessons and creative academic exercises for the students. He is eager to meet students and GLO staff from other sites, and looks forward to the field trips and the sun!
   
3rd Grade Teacher's Aide : Mai Xong
Hello GSA! My name is Mai and this is my third summer with GLO. I am a twenty four years old mother who is very outgoing and enjoys eating, playing sports and hanging out with friends during free times. I adore my two-year-old daughter who always keeps me busy. One thing I really like about GLO is the wonderful summer staff that I work with. They always put a smile on my face and make me feel welcomed when I come to GLO. I hope to have another great summer with all of you.





3rd Grade Teacher: Carmen Lo
Greetings GSA families! My name is Carmen and this will be my third summer with GSA. While this is my third summer, with each summer, the program only gets better as new curriculum and students are introduced along side the returning which makes it very exciting for me. As I continue to learn more about each participant, here's a little something about me: I'm currently a student majoring in the field of Child & Adolescent Development. I enjoy seeing children flourish and grow through their development as it is a very unique and rewarding process. In my spare time, I, like many others, enjoy some relaxation simply through biking, catching up with friends, listening to music and much more!

K/1 Teacher: Angie West
Angie is finishing up the teaching credential program at SFSU and plans to teach at the elementary school level. She has worked for GLO @ AFY for 2 years in both the before- and after-school programs. This will be her first year as a full-time teacher for GSA and is looking forward to spending her summer around lots of smiling faces and experiencing new and exciting adventures with the GSA children and staff!
 


2nd Grade Teacher's Aide: Jacqueline Kramer
I moved to San Francisco when I was six years old and was raised in the Casto and Noe Valley. I began working with children this past year as an after school Teacher at GLO at Fairmount Elementary. I enjoy working with children because they are fun and do not take themselves too seriously. I am looking forward to summer because I believe summer is a time of rejuvenation.
 


4th Grade Teacher: Rachel Reves
My name is Rachel Reves and I am so excited to be working at GSA this year. I've attended and worked at summer camps my whole life and and can not imagine a summer without summer programs. Currently I am a student at San Francisco State majoring in Child and Adolescent Development, with a double minor in Special Education and Recreation with plans of acquiring my teaching credential. When I'm not working or in school, I like to spend time with friends and family, painting, exploring San Francisco (I'm a native but I always find something new) and taking pictures in photo booths. I'm really excited for all the great things we have planned this summer and look forward to growing, learning and laughing with your children all summer long.