Causes: Philanthropy, Public Foundations

Mission: Sonoma valley education foundation (svef) enriches the student experience, partnering with the sonoma valley unified school district (svusd), as the primary fundraising and volunteer resource for innovative programs.

Programs: Early childhood learning preschool for all - svef, in partnership with the ernest bates foundation and the vadasz family foundation, is expanding the preschool at el verano school. Preschool is a proven way to give students a strong start in school. The program helps students adjust to the school environment and enhances early language skills. The goal of svef and svusd is to add additional new preschool programs at other school sites. Stepping into kinder is a kindergarten readiness program for incoming kindergarten students, held at prestwood elementary school, and tailored to students who have never attended preschool, with the requirement that a parent must attend with their child. Avance parent-child education - avance provides weekly three-hour classes for low-income spanish-speaking parents with children under age 3. The classes, conducted in spanish, focus on early education for children, parent education, early childhood development, literacy and school readiness. The program significantly improves kindergarten readiness, maternal involvement in children's education, maternal education and reduces reliance on public benefits. Summer reading and writing academy - summer reading program provides a dynamic, daily 5-week reading program for first through third grade students with the goal that all students improve reading skills and increase their love of reading. Students who read fluently with strong comprehension are much more likely to advance in school and succeed in all other school subjects. Grade level proficiency project - the grade level proficiency project is an innovative program that uses a combination of game-like computer software and classroom coaching for teachers to bring elementary students to grade level proficiency in math and literacy skills. The program provides individually paced learning addressing the individual needs of the students. The project also includes a professional development model that includes real time, in class teaching and coaching for educators. This program is a direct response to the paradigm shift in education today, using technology to help guide teacher instruction and engage all students. Exploratorium science program (esp) - developed in collaboration with the san francisco exploratorium program, esp increases the amount of science exposure in the elementary school day through the development of science curriculum that also meets the standards for english language development. Elementary students experience a dynamic hands-on learning program that enhances reading and writing skills through journaling and discussion exercises about inquiry-based science experiments. Visual thinking strategies (vts) - vts is an innovative, inquiry-based elementary school program that uses carefully selected fine art images to develop oral and written language literacy, collaborative interactions among peers and critical thinking skills. Students use evidence based thinking as they learn about art, then transfer those skills to other subjects. Vts boost writing skills for participating students.

enrichment el sistema - valley vibes orchestra (vvo) - vvo provides a daily after school youth development program for elementary aged children. Vvo provides 10 hours per week of classical music instruction in a vibrant learning environment. Children develop important cognitive and social-emotional skills through music, inspired by the world-renowned venezuelan community development program, "el sistema. " sonoma garden project - gardens at schools create a robust living laboratory for students who learn teamwork, environmental stewardship, nutrition, horticulture, agriculture and market value of hard work. Sonoma school gardens offers hands on, experiential learning outside the walls of a traditional classroom. Teacher grants - teachers apply for and receive grants for projects and materials that will enhance their work with students. Pto support - svef provides support to parent teacher organizations. Svef interns - students from sonoma provide support to svef on summer projects. Support our schools - svef provides support in schools wherever needed. School news project - school news project provides "kidscoop news" to students in classrooms.

postsecondary success - college and career freshmen teams - freshmen teams provide smaller learning communities at the freshman level designed to better support incoming freshmen in order to build a strong foundation for success in high school. Teachers work closely with a particular group of students to meet their needs, monitor their progress and provide academic support. Teachers receive specific time to collaborate and plan new learning opportunities. In addition, students who need additional learning time and extra support receive academic intervention. Scholarships - sonoma valley high school graduating seniors receive scholarship support towards their postsecondary college career, based on performance and qualifications in high school. Engineering, design and technology academy - the engineering, design and technology (edt) pathway combines strong academics and a demanding technical curriculum to connect theoretical knowledge and real-world applications. Sophomore students in the edt pathway take engineering-based elective classes and engage in large-scale engineering projects. Pathways include three components: academic, technical and work-based learning opportunities.