News & Events:
Ladue Education Foundation Areas of Focus for 2010/11 Projects and Programs
Areas of Focus for the Ladue Education Foundation are grouped into three main areas:
- Teacher Grants and District Curriculum Integration
- Teacher grants support exceptional educational opportunities conceived and promoted by the Ladue Schools teaching staff. Nearly $90,000 has been granted to innovative educational ideas over the past four years. (see LEF Grants)
- Global Learning Institute
- The Ladue Global Learning Institute is an ambitious aspiration, without walls and geographical boundaries, dedicated to aligning our concepts, work and ideas. Initiatives in this area include an LEF Speaker Series (see below), LEF Global Language Program, which is dedicated to expanding the language opportunities for Ladue Students, among others.
- Community Partnerships
- The foundation is committed to cultivating partnerships with other entities including other districts, private schools, universities, government, businesses, nonprofits, etc. Partnerships currently include mentoring programs, robotics partnerships and special events with Monsanto, The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, among others.
The Ladue Global Learning Institute: Promoting a World-Class Education System that Prepares Students for Global Economy
The Ladue Education Foundation has undertaken an ambitious aspiration of forming the Ladue Global Learning Institute. This institute, without walls and geographical boundaries, is a big idea dedicated to:
- Touching every student at every academic, economic and grade level in the district
- Uniting and inspiring students, faculty, administration, parents, businesses and a community
- Supporting students’ role as responsible citizens and leaders both locally and globally
- Connecting students to 21st century skills and preparing them for an ever-changing global environment
- Innovation – by Fostering Bold, Critical Thinking and New Ideas
- Culture – by Building Respect and Appreciation for all Peoples
- Economics – by Cultivating Success in a Global Economy
- Environment – by Encouraging Stewardship of Global Resources
- Leadership – by Developing Responsible and Engaged
Ladue Education Foundation Launches Speaker Series
In April 2010, the foundation launched its LEF Speaker Series with Talia Leman, a role model to millions of children around the world. Talia founded RandomKid, a nonprofit organization that promotes philanthropy among children. Build-A-Bear CEO Maxine Clark introduced Talia to a crowd of about 300 community members including Girl Scout troops, church groups and students and parents.
The foundation also hosted the documentary “2 Million Minutes” for high school freshman in October 2010, which shines a bright spotlight on the educational crisis in America and the need for students to maximize their educational opportunities.
The Ladue Education Foundation joined all Ladue parent associations to sponsor national author, Annie Fox, M. Ed. to speak to parents on March 31, 2011. Annie Fox helps parents get clear on their true parenting role so they can give their children what they need for healthy social/emotional development in elementary school and beyond. Fox, an award-winning author and educator with 30+ years experience, presented at the 2010 Character and Education Partnership Conference. Her books include: the new Middle School Confidential™ series, Too Stressed to Think? and The Teen Survival Guide to Dating & Relating. She also spoke to our 6th graders in two sessions at Ladue Middle School on April 1. This student event was sponsored by the Ladue Middle School Parents Association, with support from the Ladue Education Foundation.
Ladue Schools Students Partner with The Danforth Plant Science Center in E-Mentoring Program
Two high school students, Xunyi Gao and David Streid, and two middle school students, Luna Spring and Semhar Mekonnen, participated in the newly developed Danforth/Ladue E-Mentoring program during the Spring 2011 school semester. This program is designed to offer an opportunity for students to nurture the natural curiosity they have in science, by connecting with Danforth scientists who can assist them in pursuing their scientific interests. Students initially generated a series of scientific questions they were interested in exploring, and Danforth scientists served as mentors through the inquiry process.
In May, the Ladue Education Foundation hosted a culminating event where students shared what they have learned and presented their findings to school administrators, the Ladue Education Foundation Board and parents and friends. This partnership is part of a bigger foundation initiative to develop business partnerships and provide additional science and technology opportunities for students.
Thanks to the success of this program, a new group of students will be selected for the 2012 Spring semester, and the LEF is working on expanding this initiative to various industries in the region. If you or your company is interested in partnering with the Ladue School District and/or the Ladue Education Foundation, please contact us at 314-983-5334.
2011-2012 Annual Giving Campaign: Kick Off November 2011
At a time in our nation’s history when we face incredible challenges, it’s more important than ever that our children receive an education that prepares them for success in a global marketplace. As a supporter of educational excellence, we invite you to join us in building something big for our community.
The Annual Giving Campaign will kick off late November and run through February 2012.
Challenge yourself, your family, your friends, and your colleagues to match or exceed your giving to make a difference for the lives and learning of our students. With a gift of $1,000 or more you will receive a LEF Gift Pack. LEF has a Corporate Matching Gift Program available to get you and your employer involved in supporting the Ladue Education Foundation.
The Ladue School District’s vision to be recognized as a world-class educational leader will require resources beyond traditional tax dollars. This aspiration will require active engagement of the entire community through financial and volunteer resources.
As the only district-wide fund raising entity, the Ladue Education Foundation is uniquely situated to partner with district leaders and educators to secure the additional resources needed to meet its strategic vision and provide extraordinary learning opportunities for students.
Your investment in the foundation has the power to create a myriad of opportunities through projects, programs and potential facilities that can help our community educate thousands of future scholars, researchers, scientists, teachers, citizens and leaders of tomorrow for the 21st century.
The time is now to learn more, get involved and be a part of changing the lives of the children who will lead our community and nation into future prosperity.
Alumni of the Ladue School District have a voice with LEF: "Young Friends of LEF"
The Ladue Education Foundation wants YOU!......we want alumni of the Ladue School District to get involved in the Ladue School District community and the region. The vision of the group is to create extraordinary student success in the district by getting the younger alumni connected in the community and region, while providing opportunities for volunteerism, training, role modeling, and philanthropy.
Our initial networking meet and greet was February 16, 2011. Young Friends of LEF is off to a great start, and we need many more talented, skilled, and committed young alumni of the Ladue School District.
This summer we held a multi-school young alums networking happy hour at Cardwell’s in Clayton from 6-8pm. This regional networking event included Ladue, MICDS, Clayton and John Burroughs. More than 100 area young alumni attended the event. Another event will be planned soon. Don’t miss out!
If you’re interested in becoming an important part of building the Ladue School District legacy of excellence, please call for more information!
Your time and financial support is greatly appreciated ...as we make a difference together!
