As a teacher in this District for many years, I have come to rely on the funds received from SEF to supplement our curriculum and students activities. This funding has helped to support our science textbooks by allowing me the opportunity to purchase extra materials needed for various physical science and life science units.
For example, I was able to purchase kinetic toys that helped students demonstrate force and motion applications. From "stomp rockets" to propeller gliders, gyroscopes to Newton's cradle, magnets, simple circuits, motors and generators.
I was able to purchase ingredients to support our chemistry activities. Students were able to use food coloring, baking soda, vinegar, dry ice, hand warmers, glow sticks, and "alka seltzer" tablets. We needed supplies like cups, containers, paper towels, eye droppers, and spoons.
I was also able to purchase 5 dozen lillies for students to dissect. Using a hand lens and a microscope they were able to appreciate the various reproductive parts in each flower.(Over the years I also purchased 3 dissecting microscopes that allow students to magnify everyday objects up to 40 times.)
Not to mention the pocket folders, pencils, crayons, markers, glue sticks... you get the picture.
This year we were also provided the opportunity to take students outside of the school to experience the local resources in Sonona County like the Jesse Peter Cultural History Museum and the Planetarium on the SRJC campus. We have also gone to the Don Clausen fish hatchery at Lake Sonoma to enhance our classroom work on the life cycles of the salmon and steelhead trout.
SEF has been a trusted friend that I can count on to help support my efforts to supplement a dry textbook experience into something that becomes a memorable learning experience. I appreciate and value the effort parents, administrators and teachers give to help provide outstanding learning experiences for students in SUSD. Without these efforts we might lose students to surrounding districts.
Thanks to SEF I have been able use my talent, creativity and enthusiasm to develop fun and memorable activities.
With gratitude, Greg Corby (5th Grade Teacher)
I very much appreciate SEF! I know it is a volunteer group and they are giving their time for all our children. I couldn't do the extras like food tastings in the fall; holiday family gifts in the winter; diorama supplies for the study of the Coral Reef and of course the biggest...help with filed trips!!!!!
I am grateful for the funds that are raised!!!
Laura Ann Freedman (Kindergarten Teacher)
SEF provides funding for the Art program at Brook Haven School. Often parents approach me with generous donations for art. I kindly direct them to SEF. When you support SEF you support the art program, other electives, field trips and many more valuable learning opportunities at Brook Haven School. I could not offer our students quality art products without SEF's generosity each school year! Thank you SEF!
Kevin Garrison Brook Haven Art Teacher
Hello All, In my classroom I use SEF money for a TON of things! Unlike other classes where new materials are needed regularly, I find that I can save the SEF money I am allocated for special projects or materials that are really needed to support BHS students in a bunch of cool ways. This year specifically, I purchased new art supplies for my room - colored pencils, markers, glitter glue, white glue, rulers, and speciality papers - to support special projects that go along with our learning. Additionally, I was able to help support the field trip to the Academy of Sciences which took all the 7th and 8th grade students, gave some money to Rob Hanni for 3D printer filament, and paid for bus for the 7th grade field trip to Sturgeon's Mill. I was also able to give some money to Kevin Garrison for the creation of a new mural at school on my building - I am so excited about it! This is all in addition to buying all the regular school stuff like pencils, paper, highlighters, and those super handy pencil topper erasers - if they need it, I've gotta have it!
Molly Sheehan (7th & 8th Grade History Teacher)
SEFfunds help support my inquiry based science experiments and field trips that support the curriculum. I also use the funds to buy specialty art supplies such as oil pastels, water color paints and clay. Thank you!
Mrs. Julie (Kindergarten Teacher)
Dear SEF, I am forever grateful for SEFfunds each year as they allow me to buy quality supplies for special art projects, materials for hands-on science experiments and extra curriculum items to enhance our inquiry based learning programs. Thank you for the support you give to teachers and students to enhance our programs! With much appreciation, Stephanie Grace, Third Grade Teacher
Dear SEF,
I use the entire(most years)allotment of SEF funds for fieldtrips. In 6th grade, we take the following trips. The relative cost of each trip is listed also.
Asian Art Museum $12/ps
Palace of the Legion of Honor Museum $12/ps
Angel Island Living History Program Overnight . $70/ps
SEF funds do not cover all these fees, so I do ask parents to donate towards them.
Thanks for all you do, and all SEF does, and has done over the years! It is important to me, and to the students I teach!
Sincerely yours, Jeff Stucker 6th Grade Humanities Brook Haven 5-8 School