Every day, each of our more than 950 District employees strive to provide a world-class education to our nearly 11,000 students. We cannot do it alone. Thanks to a supportive City and community, we do not have to do it alone.
Throughout the school year, one-time, occasional and ongoing collaborative efforts enrich and expand the learning experience, providing activities and amenities beyond classroom instruction. Here is a look at two of the many productive programs that enhance students' lives.
In Tune — The Carlsbad Music Festival
They may not be rock stars, but to Valley Middle's budding musicians, the four members of the Calder Quartet are totally awesome and tuned-in to their musical ambitions. These guys began stringing together when they were barely out of their teens, so Valley students easily relate to them and the music.
This fall's Calder Quartet appearance in Amanda Boer's Valley band and orchestra classes was presented by the Carlsbad Cultural Arts Office. She reports, “The Arts Office provides this program to us at no cost as part of the annual Carlsbad Music Festival. My students really enjoy the program. In addition to performing, the groups interact with the kids; they ask and answer questions, establishing a bond. Some of my students dream of playing professionally, so it is a great motivational benefit for them to meet young adults who are pursuing their musical craft.”
In the Zone — Homework Guidance
What do high school and college students, former teachers, a retired NASA engineer and many others from diverse walks of life have in common? All help our K-12 students achieve and succeed in the Carlsbad Library's innovative Homework Zone. This District-City-Community partnership for the betterment of students has been going strong for several years.
Children's Librarian Missy Shaw states, “The program is great. The volunteers are not tutors. They're more like guides.”
Having the Zone in a library setting is an added bonus. The students have quick, convenient access to a wealth of data. They learn how to do research and find information on their own.
On one recent drizzly afternoon, learning reigned at all three Library locations: Cole, Dove and the bilingual Learning Center. At the Cole, Carlsbad High senior Lucas Bradford garnered tips on taking his SAT college tests from his classmate, volunteer Anjan Chidambaram. Anjan earns community service credits for his efforts, but that is not the sole reason for his involvement. He has volunteered at the Library since sixth grade when he joined the summer reading program. Noting that he usually works with younger students, Anjan relates, “I really like helping the elementary school kids on all subjects, from English to math and science. It's a fun way to meet new people. I learn a lot from the kids.”
Over at the Learning Center, Teresa Holve assisted CHS junior Rosalba Resendiz with her homework. Saying she loves this gig, Holve confides, “When my twins attended Aviara Oaks Elementary, I volunteered in the classroom. Now that they're in middle school, I wanted to put my experience and my desire to help into this program. I'm not doing their homework for them. I'm helping them find the answers themselves.”
Helping students find the answers and move forward in their academic pursuits and their lives: that is precisely what productive collaborations such as these achieve in our District and community every day.
Throughout the school year, one-time, occasional and ongoing collaborative efforts enrich and expand the learning experience, providing activities and amenities beyond classroom instruction. Here is a look at two of the many productive programs that enhance students' lives.
In Tune — The Carlsbad Music Festival
They may not be rock stars, but to Valley Middle's budding musicians, the four members of the Calder Quartet are totally awesome and tuned-in to their musical ambitions. These guys began stringing together when they were barely out of their teens, so Valley students easily relate to them and the music.
This fall's Calder Quartet appearance in Amanda Boer's Valley band and orchestra classes was presented by the Carlsbad Cultural Arts Office. She reports, “The Arts Office provides this program to us at no cost as part of the annual Carlsbad Music Festival. My students really enjoy the program. In addition to performing, the groups interact with the kids; they ask and answer questions, establishing a bond. Some of my students dream of playing professionally, so it is a great motivational benefit for them to meet young adults who are pursuing their musical craft.”
In the Zone — Homework Guidance
What do high school and college students, former teachers, a retired NASA engineer and many others from diverse walks of life have in common? All help our K-12 students achieve and succeed in the Carlsbad Library's innovative Homework Zone. This District-City-Community partnership for the betterment of students has been going strong for several years.
Children's Librarian Missy Shaw states, “The program is great. The volunteers are not tutors. They're more like guides.”
Having the Zone in a library setting is an added bonus. The students have quick, convenient access to a wealth of data. They learn how to do research and find information on their own.
On one recent drizzly afternoon, learning reigned at all three Library locations: Cole, Dove and the bilingual Learning Center. At the Cole, Carlsbad High senior Lucas Bradford garnered tips on taking his SAT college tests from his classmate, volunteer Anjan Chidambaram. Anjan earns community service credits for his efforts, but that is not the sole reason for his involvement. He has volunteered at the Library since sixth grade when he joined the summer reading program. Noting that he usually works with younger students, Anjan relates, “I really like helping the elementary school kids on all subjects, from English to math and science. It's a fun way to meet new people. I learn a lot from the kids.”
Over at the Learning Center, Teresa Holve assisted CHS junior Rosalba Resendiz with her homework. Saying she loves this gig, Holve confides, “When my twins attended Aviara Oaks Elementary, I volunteered in the classroom. Now that they're in middle school, I wanted to put my experience and my desire to help into this program. I'm not doing their homework for them. I'm helping them find the answers themselves.”
Helping students find the answers and move forward in their academic pursuits and their lives: that is precisely what productive collaborations such as these achieve in our District and community every day.