“The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.” Ludwig Wittgenstein

A Leap Learning Systems Publication

Table of Contents Words From Our President…. 2 Showing Our Appreciation… 3 Wildcats Take Over Leap…. 4 Preschool Scientist…. 5 Leap Into Volunteering…. 6 LASER.. . 7 Language For Scholars… 8 Leap Bizz… 9 Directors Comments… 10

Features Dr. Lybolt has dinner with preschoolers at the Annual Rush University Preschool Science Gala.

Northwestern graduates re-ceive a special visit from alumnae Catherine Gottfred.

Another successful and im-pactful summer of Language for Scholars programming.

Use a picture of teens from LFS here.

2010 Fall Newsletter—Leap Learning Systems 8 South Michigan Suite 812 Chicago, IL 60603 T: (312) 578-1255 www.leaplearningsystems.org

Words From our President

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Our Team Catherine H. Gottfred, Ph.D., Founder John Lybolt, Ph.D., Research Director Michael Levesque, Executive Director Roger Anderson Bev Applebaum Elizabeth Condon Isabel Govea Jennifer Preschern Nina Smith La Tonia Wells Angela Howard Visit our website www. to get to know a little more about ...

Leap enjoys a reputation for being successful and effective in its programmatic efforts. But we know we are only as good as our partners. As a result of time and dedication to common ob-jectives - we have partnerships that work. ...

It Takes a Village

Foundations

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WJ and JK Truettner Foundation Target The Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust The Siragusa Foundation US Bank William Blair & Co. Founda-tion

Gottfred Family Foundation Harry F. and Elaine Chaddick Foundation Health Education & Relief Foundation Irvin Stern Foundation Mary Alice Wheeler Fund at The Chicago Community Trust Max Goldenberg Foundation Modestus Bauer Foundation Polk Bros. Foundation Richard M. & Elizabeth M. Ross Foundation

Donor-Advised Fund at The Chi-cago Community Trust Bank of America Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL Boeing Employee Community Fund Burt Family Foundation Chicago White Sox Chicago Sun-Times Charity Trust Circle of Service Foundation Col. Stanley McNeil Foundation Glenview Community Church Google

Leap programs are made possible through the generous support of a wide variety of private, corporate and in-dividual giving. Our funders have made it possible for thousands of young students to gain access to high quality reading mate-rials and literacy support; for teachers to have intense classroom coaching support; and for teens to gain critical 21st century skills that help make them more competitive in the class-room and one day in the board room.

Our goals is to fully acknowledge all donations and gifts, please accept our deepest apologies if we have omitted anyone from this list.

Wildcats on the Prowl @Leap

This spring, leap founder, Catherine Gottfred, Ph.D. gave an inspirational speech to Northwestern’s graduating M.A. students in the Communication Sci-ence and Disorders Department. “She challenged new graduates in the SLP field to go above and beyond and contribute to every aspect of the field,” said graduate and new Leap team member, Nina Smith. “She also said that I would find the cure to dyslexia, so I have some work to do. “

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Northwestern students and alum continue to give and contribute to the mission of closing the education gap. Along with Dr. Gottfred, other wildcats that are in on the action include John Lybolt Ph.D., Jeri Loge-mann, Ph.D., Lorraine Cole, Ph.D., Reggie Moore, Jennifer Preschern, Nina Smith, Jordan Fox, Stephanie Bultinck, Aisha Smith and Court-ney Horton are all making great contributions to our Leap success making great contributions to the organizations success.

Building Language Throughout the Year: the Preschool Early Literacy Curriculum Leap Learning Systems' preschool curriculum is easily adaptable to any classroom but is best utilized when complimented with our Language Strategies training or participation in our Vocabulary Improvement Program (VIP). For information on these or any Leap Learning Systems professional development program, contact …..@leaplearningsystems.org. Order your copy of Building Language

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Preschool Scientist...

Dr. Lybolt provided the keynote address at the Rush University Preschool Science Annual Gala May 6th this year. This gathering celebrates the outreach efforts of Rush to pre-school classrooms at 16 Chicago Public Schools. "Best preschool scientists" from each classroom and their parents attend an awards ceremony where teachers', children's and parent's efforts to fur-ther science are recognized. Children in their 'Benefit Best' - tuxedos and suits for the boys and topped out dresses for the girls walk to the stage to re-ceive their award. Proud parents and family video, photograph and applaud their walk to achievement. There were many laughs and squeals of laughter as he demonstrated the science of balloon releases, box stacking, and paper air-plane flights in and over the crowd. Children and parents agreed that science for pre-schoolers can be found in the simple, familiar and sometimes messy --- sugar cubes, drink-ing straws, and ketchup bottles.

“Being "scientific" involves being curious, observing, asking how things happen, and learning how to find the answers. Helping Your Child Learn About Science. Department of Education, 2005)

Language Through Science (LTS)

LTS is a professional development program for early childhood teachers and is delivered by Leap Professional Development Coaches to underserved schools in Chicago. Teachers attend professional development trainings and receive in-classroom visits from Leap Coaches once a week.

During classroom visits Leap Coaches lead science lessons and related book reads, and observe teachers lead activities on alternating weeks. Through this program, students increase their lan-guage through active engagement with age-appropriate science lessons and related books. Teachers learn techniques for encouraging their students’ language development while becom-ing more comfortable with teaching science in their classroom.

For more information contact us at (312) 578-1255 or visit our website at www.leaplearningsystems.org

What it is: LASER (Leap’s After School EnRichment Program) is Leap Learning Systems updated after-school curriculum with a professional development component for educators who work with youth in an after-school setting. What is our approach? LASER improves the performance among students who are struggling academically by coaching the after school leaders on effective implementation of Language & Literacy skills. We focus on the four fundamental areas necessary for school success: 1) reading decoding skills, 2) reading comprehension, 3) language skills, and 4) writing skills. “The students learned that it is important to pay attention to the pictures and the rhyming pattern while reading a story as a means to predicting novel words or even just the subsequent events in a poem/story.” Christine A. Deyerler, BTH Leader What makes us different? We believe in sticking around to see our clients through the process of academic success. Our cli-ents receive standardized and authentic assessment both pre and post program for staff and stu-dents. We provide on-site training monthly, and we are available via phone and email for ques-tions and/or comments. “I appreciate the trainings as well as the on-site visits. The learning, teaching and help were of value”

Laura Coonrod, CUM Leader

Leap’s After-School EnRichment Program

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Language For Scholars

Language for Scholars teaches the use of Academic Eng-lish as a tool to help scholars communicate effectively with a variety of audiences. Leap coaches lead work-shops and provide immediate feedback that help stu-dents learn and sharpen their speaking skills. By the end of their respective programs students made signifi-cant improvements, presenting their ideas in an organ-ized way that utilized their assigned speech goals.

Leap Learning Systems completed another successful and impactful summer of Language for Scholars pro-gramming. Over 300 students ranging from middle school to high school participated in workshops that helped them develop effective, real-world communica-tion skills that will help them succeed academically and on the job. This summer Leap had the privilege of continuing to work with program partners that included the Univer-sity of Chicago’s Collegiate Scholars, the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund, Chicago International Charter School , and Link Unlimited. Leap was also happy to host its second Family & Friends Language for Scholars program this summer.

“It could benefit me in the classroom by making me appear smarter and more confident. It will show the teachers that I am a good student.”

- Daniel Murphy Scholar

“It will make it easier for people to understand me and project a better impression of my academic abilities.”

- Collegiate Scholars Student

“It will benefit me in the classroom by showing the teacher how seri-ous I am about learning.” - Link Unlimited Scholar

This fall the Leap team will have the pleasure of delivering Language for Scholars programming to high school classrooms within Chicago Public Schools and at an After School Matters program site.

This year, our dedicated volunteers have contrib-uted over 100 hours to Leap and the year isn’t quite over yet! We would not be able to do all of the work we do nor reach as many educators, students and their families as we do without the help of our vol-unteers. Our volunteers come from all walks of life and many, many educational and professional backgrounds including US Bank, William Blair & Co., Ariel School, Rush University, Elmhurst Col-lege and Northwestern University just to name a few. Whether you are volunteering for school credits or personal growth– Leap is a great way to build skills and we’d love to have you!

Visit our website and fill out an application today! www.leaplearningsystems.org

“Leap was a perfect fit. I am going to school to be a Speech Language Pathologist. Leap has opened my eyes to a new experience and a new aspect that could possibly be my future one day.” -Nadine Portera Elmhurst College Graduate

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LEAP INTO VOULNTEERING!

What’s happening Next

Leap programs operate through a combination of individual donations, grant funding and fee-based services. We strive to bring our programs to all schools and agencies that request them, working with each potential program partner individually to determine a feasible arrangement. You can help to ensure that no classroom goes underserved by making a date today. A donation to Leap is an investment in your community. Join the list of outstanding individuals, foundations and business that have helped to keep Leap Learning Systems programs affordable to the teachers, stu-dents and families who need them the most. Donate on-line at www.leaplearingsystems.org/doante, or by mail to: Leap Learning Systems 8 South Michigan, Suite 812 Chicago, IL 60603

Giving Back to Our Community

Board of Directors Reggie Moore Josh Aldort, J.D. Richard Gottfred Chris Hillcoat Catherine H. Gottfred, Ph.D. Russ Campion Pamela Daniels-Halisi Lorraine Cole, Ph.D. Charlie Burt Cynthia Elkins Lindsey Holton Scott Kilrea Jeri Logemann, Ph.D. Loida Rosario Linda Tarrson Michael Levesque, Ex Officio