Spring 2012 A Quarterly Newsletter from the Miriam Foundation IN THIS ISSUE: page 2 Gratitude from Gretchen page 3 School Scenes Edward Jones Helps Miriam Learning Center Students page 4 Miriam School Library Renovation page 5 Friends Indeed page 6 Honors and Memorials page 7 Scholarship Campaign page 8 Switching Post Miriam Foundation 501 Bacon Avenue Saint Louis, Missouri 63119 office 314.962.6059 fax 314.962.0482 www.miriamfoundation.org New technology–New ways to learn Miriam School prides itself on providing a truly individualized and unique learning experience for its students. Children with learning disabilities often vary in their abilities and require multiple opportunities to acquire, process, and apply knowledge in a way that engages all their senses at a pace that benefits them. A recent donation of over 100 iPad 2 tablet computers to Miriam School is helping students overcome communication and learning difficulties in the classroom in ways that have never before been available. Miriam Foundation Board of Trustees member Morrie Zimring and his wife Miki generously gave the funds needed to purchase more than 100 of the new tablets which will be used by all of the school’s 96 students and faculty in a 1:1 program. e Zimrings were inspired to make the donation after reading national news coverage about the benefits of iPads in special education settings. e tablets are praised for their ability to help students who learn best when they are exposed to enhanced visual, auditory and touch- based learning rather than standard textbooks. “It was clear from the start of Morrie’s board service that he wanted to make a difference in the lives of Miriam School children,” says Andrew orp, Executive Director of Miriam Foundation. “With this gift, he will have a direct impact on the learning outcomes for our students. It will revolutionize the way they are able to learn.” In addition to the iPads themselves, the donated funds also allowed for on-site staff training from Apple and the purchase of apps designed to aid in learning. e iPads were introduced in the classrooms in early February and teachers have lost no time in implementing the devices into their everyday routine. “is new technology will empower Miriam School students to learn in ways that are tailored to their individual learning styles,” says Joan Holland, M.Ed., School Director. “Students will be able to access and utilize vast amounts of information to assist them in problem-solving, communicating, and collaborating in new and exciting ways. Our entire community is thrilled to receive this generous gift that will dramatically enhance the programs and services of Miriam School.” continued on page 3 > With the assistance of Miriam School’s Support Program Coordinator, Mary Bless, Miriam Foundation Advisory Committee members Lanie Goldenberg, Barbara Silver, and Lucy Lopata explored the new iPads at their annual meeting. “This new technology will empower Miriam School students to learn in ways that are tailored to their individual learning styles”
Transcript
Spring 2012
A Quarterly Newsletter from the Miriam Foundation
In thIs Issue:page 2 Gratitude from Gretchen
page 3 school scenes
edward Jones helps Miriam Learning Center students
page 4 Miriam school Library Renovation
page 5 Friends Indeed
page 6 honors and Memorials
page 7 scholarship Campaign
page 8 switching Post
Miriam Foundation
501 Bacon Avenue
saint Louis, Missouri 63119
office 314.962.6059
fax 314.962.0482
www.miriamfoundation.org
New technology–New ways to learnMiriam School prides itself on providing a truly individualized and unique learning experience for its students. Children with learning disabilities often vary in their abilities and require multiple opportunities to acquire, process, and apply knowledge in a way that engages all their senses at a pace that benefits them. A recent donation of over 100 iPad 2 tablet computers to Miriam School is helping students overcome communication and learning difficulties in the classroom in ways that have never before been available.
Miriam Foundation Board of Trustees member Morrie Zimring and his wife Miki generously gave the funds needed to purchase more than 100 of the new tablets which will be used by all of the school’s 96 students and faculty in a 1:1 program.
The Zimrings were inspired to make the donation after reading national news coverage about the benefits of iPads in special education settings. The tablets are praised for their ability to help students who learn best when they are exposed to enhanced visual, auditory and touch-based learning rather than standard textbooks.
“It was clear from the start of Morrie’s board service that he wanted to make a difference in the lives of Miriam School children,” says Andrew Thorp, Executive Director of Miriam Foundation.
“With this gift, he will have a direct impact on the learning outcomes for our students. It will revolutionize the way they are able to learn.”
In addition to the iPads themselves, the donated funds also allowed for on-site staff training
from Apple and the purchase of apps designed to aid in learning. The iPads were introduced in the classrooms in early February and teachers have lost no time in implementing the devices into their everyday routine.
“This new technology will empower Miriam School students to learn in ways that are tailored to their individual learning styles,” says Joan Holland, M.Ed., School Director. “Students will be able to access and utilize vast amounts of information to assist them in problem-solving, communicating, and collaborating in new and exciting ways. Our entire community is thrilled to receive this generous gift that will dramatically enhance the programs and services of Miriam School.”
continued on page 3 >
With the assistance of Miriam School’s Support Program Coordinator, Mary Bless, Miriam Foundation Advisory Committee members Lanie Goldenberg, Barbara Silver, and Lucy Lopata explored the new iPads at their annual meeting.
“ This new technology will empower Miriam School students to learn in ways that are tailored to their individual learning styles”
miriam F O u n D At I O n
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BOARD OF DIReCtORsOfficersPresident Gretchen G. Davis
Vice-President of Programs Judi scissors
Vice-President of Development Lawrence Langsam
Vice-President of Administration/Treasurer harry A. Witte
Secretary sandy Washington
At-largeLynda higbee
Board Members
Barbara Bindler susan Bower Laurie Caro Amye Carrigan Christopher elliott Linda estell todd Gentry Lanie Goldenberg Matthew e. herzberg Raymond Kleeman Michele Liebman Jennifer Lindenmayer Kim nazaruk steven e. Rosenblum Donna J. Wendel Carolyn Zacarian Morrie Zimring Karen Zorensky
Executive DirectorAndrew thorp
Advisory CommitteeGladys Barker Jackie BergmannMarcia Broddon Marilyn Fox Julie Frohlichstein Judy Gall Mindee Gall Bettie Gershman sonya Glassberg Kathy hartmann Mary Ann Lee e. Bry Lefton Lucy Lopata Bernice “sis” Mange Bert Melchior Joellen Rubenstein Virginia sharp Barbara silver Anne tolanJudy Zafft Marlene Zafft
M i r i A M F o u N d A t i o N . o r g | M i r i A M N e w S 3
gratitude from gretchen“Time flies when you are having fun.” This is certainly the way I feel about serving for the past two years as President of Miriam Foundation. The time has truly flown, leaving me with wonderful memories and a sense of accomplishment.
One of my first acts as President was to participate in the ground breaking for the Mary Ann Lee Gymnasium. What a difference that space has made for our students, faculty, and families! Every minute of the school day there are students using both the gym and the breezeway, and in the evenings and on weekends the Learning Center takes over and uses the space to provide services.
Miriam Foundation marked our Centennial in 2010. Not many organizations would dare to conduct a capital campaign and a gala in the same year, and it is a reflection on the dedication of our community that both were hugely successful and exceeded their fundraising goals.
The past year saw the launch of an energized “Friends of Miriam” group, which has already hosted three events — the profits from which will support the renovation of the Miriam School library. A big thank you to Judi Scissors and Kim Nazaruk for taking on the leadership of this group.
Of course, as in any period of time there was a challenge and that was the Miriam Learning Center. The Learning Center was developed to provide diagnostic and supportive educational services to the community. As with most new initiatives the start was slower than anticipated, but our Board believed in the need for this service to the community and allowed time for the program to grow. I am happy to report that this year the Learning Center has more than doubled its number of students served and will, for the first time, end the year in the black.
I am often asked why I choose to be involved with Miriam. There are two main reasons: I know firsthand the value of the specialized education that we provide, and in my many years of volunteer work I have never found a more caring and functional organization. This atmosphere comes as a result of a strong Executive Director. Thank you, Andy, for making this a wonderful place to work and volunteer, and for being supportive during my tenure. You are the best and we are lucky to have you. And thank you to so many others.
To Sarah, Lois, and Carol for always providing support and doing so with big smiles
To my Executive Committee Members for their wise counsel
To the Board for respectful deliberation, always putting the mission first
To our Donors for their generous support To Joan and Beth for providing excellent
leadership of the School and Learning Center and for finding a synergy between our two programs
To the faculty for always putting the students and their needs first
To the parents for trusting us with their children
To the students whose happy faces always remind me why we are doing what we do
I will miss serving as President of this organization, but am confident that under the able leadership of Judi Scissors the organization will continue to grow and thrive. This was a labor of love, all started when my 30+ year-old past Miriam student said, “Mom, I wish you would join that board. I was happy there.” Thank you, Grant.
Sincerely,
Gretchen G. DavisMiriam Foundation President 2010–2012
“ In my many years of volunteer work I have never found a more caring and functional organization”
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Edward Jones Helps Miriam Learning Center StudentsWith assistance from Miriam Foundation board member and Edward Jones employee, Michele Liebman, Edward Jones recently awarded Miriam Foundation a grant of $5,000 to provide need-based scholarships for Miriam Learning Center students. The grant provides five full and seven partial scholarships for children to participate in social skills training groups, occupational therapy groups, psycho-educational testing, private tutoring, and summer therapy camp.
Abraham Mitchell is a fourth grade student in the Affton School District and one recipient of an Edward Jones scholarship. “Abraham cannot wait to attend summer camp at the Miriam Learning Center and we are so grateful for the scholarship,” stated Dawn Mitchell, Abraham’s mother.
“Because of the economy, more families than ever need our financial help to get the services their children require. The only way we can provide free or reduced fees for services is through the support of donors like Edward Jones. Because of them and other caring supporters, children in the St. Louis area, regardless of their family’s ability to pay, are able to get the necessary interventions they need to succeed and grow,” stated Beth Rose, MLC Director.
miriam F O u n D At I O n
Abraham and Dawn Mitchell
Ultimately, the students of Miriam School are the direct beneficiaries of this exciting new tool to aid in their learning. Teachers value the ease of use and ability of the iPad to give immediate feedback to their students while students love the opportunity to take charge of their own learning and acquire knowledge in a way that makes sense to them.
“We use our iPads to type instead of having to write during class,” say the middle school students in Room 7. “We can work faster and easier to complete projects. The iPads allow us to see things up close, like words and numbers. It is easier to look at our world and organize information.”
iPad continued from pg 1
sChOOL sCenes
Celebrating Spring at Miriam means outdoor art class, a field trip to The Sheldon, Speech Café, and sending 15 graduates on their way.
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miriam n e W s
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It was a dark and stormy night… The classic literary phrase was an apt description for the Miriam Spring Spectacular held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, 2012, at The Zodiac in Neiman Marcus.
More than 100 guests enjoyed the cocktail reception and silent auction to benefit the renovation of Miriam School’s library. Midway through the event Mother Nature’s arrival was heralded by area tornado sirens and the party was temporarily relocated to the Neiman Marcus basement.
Event Chair, Judi Scissors, was undaunted by the change of venue and addressed the guests as planned. Judi announced that the Spring Spectacular had raised more than $33,000 for the library renovation and stressed the importance of reaching the $85,000 goal to ensure that Miriam students continue to have an inspiring and comfortable place in which to foster a love of reading.
Friends indeed thank you to the Miriam Spring Spectacular Committee and Sponsors!
Judi Scissors, Chair Amye Carrigan • Alisa Gordon Lynda Higbee • Shannon Lemp Kim Nazaruk • Karen Robnak
Caldecott Award Winner LevelHadassah and Sanford LebmanMiriam School Parent Association
Mark Twain LevelSuzie and Bill Florent/Cassidy TurleyMonsanto
Show Me Reader LevelGeorge L. DiederichMichael and Noémi NeidorffStaenberg Family Foundation
Librarian LevelAnonymousBoomerang TubeDr. William DanforthEck, Schafer & Punke, LLPLaura and David HermanHannah and Larry LangsamMitchell Wall Architecture & DesignKim and Rick NazarukKaren and David RobnakDr. and Mrs. David Stansfield
Bookworm LevelBarry and Jackie AlbrechtKatherine “Boo” AltvaterJeanne and Suzanne BauerBaker and Doris Drewry CunninghamMary Ann and Joe CrutchfieldMarilyn FoxBarbara and Arthur Silver
Friends of Miriam is a volunteer organization which assists in fundraising, increasing public awareness of Miriam Foundation and its programs, providing support to the children and families served through Miriam School and Miriam Learning Center, and planning and participating in events and activities which advance these objectives. Annual dues are $45 per member or $500 for a lifetime membership. For more information call Miriam Foundation at (314) 962-6059.
LeGACY sOCIetYAnonymous (2)
Barbara & Daniel Bindler
‡elsie & Fred Block
susan Bower & stephen Leet
‡Diane Goldsmith- simon Cohen
‡Kate Cook
Gretchen G. Davis
George L. Diederich
‡stella Freund
Dr. Ira & Judith Gall
Bernice Garden
‡sidney Goldenberg
Lynda higbee
Judith LaDoux
hannah & Larry Langsam
‡Babs Levin
‡hazel Loewenwarter
Bernice “sis” Mange
‡Clarence Mange
Judy Mange
Marjorie Reiches
Judi scissors
Linda & James shubert
Barbara & Arthur silver
Gloria & sanford spitzer
Patti teper
Anne & Joseph tolan
‡tesse B. Werner
‡edith Wolff
Judy & Jerry Zafft
Judy & Lon Zimmerman
(‡deceased)
For more information or to enroll, please contact the Foundation office at 314.962.6059. Thank you.
hOnORs AnD MeMORIALs FunDInG KeY Miriam School Tribute Fund (MS) • General Operating Fund (MT) • Jeffrey Scott Gall Memorial Scholarship Tribute Fund (JG) • Tesse B. Werner Music Fund (TW) • Stella M. Freund Educational Equipment Fund (SF) • Sidney Goldenberg, M.D. Technology Fund (SG) • Annual Giving/Scholarship Campaign (AG) • Miriam Learning Center (LC)
Tribute funds provide a continuous source of revenue to the Miriam Foundation’s philanthropic programs. A gift of $10 or more will support the program of your choice. Gifts of $25 or more are denoted by an asterisk (*). Gifts of $100 or more are denoted by a double asterisk (**). All donations are tax-deductible. We do our best to recognize donors accurate-ly. If we have made an error, please contact Lois Koenen at 314.962.6059 or [email protected]. Thank you.
Contributions should be made payable to: Miriam Foundation and sent to 501 Bacon Ave., St. Louis, MO 63119
In MeMORY OFJEAN BECK*Dorsett Village Church (AG)**Friends at Beck Flavors (AG)*Evelyn B. Goldberg (MS)*James Gross (AG)*Julie, Jim & Marty Gross (AG)*Barb & Scott Liberman (AG)*McKnight Place Extended Care
(AG)**Deborah & Mark Miller (AG)Betty B. Schwartz (MS)*D.J. Serkes (AG)*Barbara & Arthur Silver (MS)
ELSIE ANN BECKER*Joni & Drew Karandjeff (AG)*Miriam Foundation Board & Staff
(AG)Barbara Silver (AG)**Switching Post Thursday
Volunteers (AG)*Andy & Lisa Thorp (AG)
VIVIAN BECKER*Ira & Judy Gall (JG)
ANNA LEE BROWN*Ira & Judy Gall (JG)
FLORENCE CRAIG*Frieda Wahlig (AG)
WILLIAM DILLDorothy Meyerson (MS)
ZELLA ESROCK Gloria Portnoy (AG)
SYLVIA & RIC FISHGALL*Dvora Krause (AG)
HAROLD FISHMANBarbara & Art Silver (AG)*Andy & Lisa Thorp (AG)
FoundationJennifer LindenmayerMillstone Bangert, Inc.Barbara & Art SilverSanford & Gloria SpitzerErik & Donna WendelKaren & Fred WolffJames H. Woods Jr.
Foundation
TOPAZ$500-$999Chris AuffenbergSusan Bower & Stephen LeetAmye & Dan CarriganCommerce Bancshares
FoundationJohn DeHart & Jyoti
ParwatikarMarlene & Jeff GoldfarbThe Herman FamilyDawn & Nicolas KattentidtJerome NuellMichael Rauchman &
Ariane MaySt. Louis Christmas Carols
AssociationMark & Karen Zorensky
OPAL$1-$499Anonymous – 5Joel & Susan AllenKatherine L. (Boo) AltvaterThe Berardi FamilyNorma S. BaronBeverly & Phil BarronHarry Behrmann & FamilyJune R. BiermanBetty L. Brand
Mel & Pamela BrownCaren BucklesLaurie & Joe CaroMarijane ChehvalRuth CochranMary Jo ConleyAdele CorsonMiriam DennisDellice DickhausMargaret & Greg DorfChris ElliottCarol FaustRobert & Mary Ellen FreundSonny FriedmanTim & Beth GartinTodd & Tammy GentryMuriel GilbergDan Glazier & Nancy SnowBette S. GoodmanDavid & Kelli GrimesMichael & Linda GrzybHagemann-Parrish FamilySam HeymanHolly HicksChris & Terri HodgeDarryl Howard & Judy
JohaningmeyerLester HunsteinSuzette JohnsonRachel & Andrew KatzmanJohn & Marci KuehnerLinda Lahman & David
Harvey GreensteinDiane MandleJudy MangePat MarcanikShelley MarglousRose MassKatherine & John MathewsMary J. McGrawHelen McLaughlinRachel MillerSteve & Barbara Levin
MuchnickSteven NazarukAndrew Newman & Allegra
Clement-BayardMary & Charles ParkerErica PfeifferGreg & Jan PoelkerMildred PoletskyKarla RadfordJohn & Lynn RawlingsBeth RitterRoman, Butler, Fullerton
& Co.David & Beth Rose
Jerrold & Joan Rosenblum
JoEllen & Leonard Rubenstein
Sander FoundationDavid & Jamie
SauerburgerDr. Irwin SchultzJudi ScissorsJoan SesselMichael SherbergFrances R. SiegelSherry & Tom SingerDavid & Peggy SteinbergJeanne StolarDavid SuraskiChuck & Molly SzwedaLeslie & Mark TemkinCarolyn & Craig ThomsonDr. & Mrs. Stanley WaldThe Walewski FamilyCarol WallOllie Tucker WardSandy & David WashingtonDiane G. WeitmanSandy & Jeanne WeltmanBetty Anne WilliamsRick & Karen WinklerHarry & Jane WitteNina P. WolffSandon & Karen WoolJoseph E. WullerMichael & Rebecca
ZaccarelloJudy & Jerry Zafft
MATCHING GIFT COMPANIESAnheuser-BuschAT&TBank of America BoeingCIGNAConocoPhillipsDean Foods CompanyExpress ScriptsMacy’sMerrill LynchMonsanto Pfizer, Inc.Reuters America LLCUS BankWells Fargo
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501 Bacon AvenueSt. Louis, Missouri 63119
MiriamSpring Spectacular Success
Not even the tumultuous weather could dampen the bright success of this exciting
event to raise funds for the renovation of the Miriam School library. Read all the
