March 2015 eNews Message from Principal Gleaton

 Last spring, I wrote to you about the need for funding 13 more class sections at Carlmont in order to decrease class sizes and provide more class choices for our students. It’s time to update you on how we did and why I am asking for your continued support of the Carlmont Academic Foundation (CAF).

As I mentioned last year, Carlmont students want to learn — they even extend their day and take seven classes each year. This is not the case at other schools in the district. Currently, 20% of Carlmont students take seven classes, while only 11% take that many at Menlo-Atherton. The major reason for this is that the district provides staffing for each student to take only six courses a year.

More importantly, class sizes were too big at Carlmont. To keep class sizes down and to pay for the additional classes your students want to take, we need to look for other sources of funding. I feel fortunate and thankful that at Carlmont this funding comes from donations to CAF from parents like you.

Because of this support, Carlmont added those thirteen class sections and academic classes dropped in size by 25%:

 Average size of an academic class in 2013-2014 was 37-43, THIS YEAR it’s 28-33

That’s 9-10 less students per class!

 English I class size average in 2013-14 was 37, THIS YEAR it’s 28

That’s 11 less students per class!
(the average at at M-A, Sequoia, Woodside is 28)

We can’t go back to the class sizes we had in 2013, which is why I am asking CAF to fund the 13 additional sections again for next school year.

Last school year, CAF raised $388,000, enough to fund the extra class sections, as well as fund the after-school tutoring center, essential classroom curriculum supplies, enrichment programs, and teacher collaboration support.

Right now, I ask for you to make a donation to CAF (or an additional donation if you would like to increase your support). CAF’s suggested tax-deductible donation is $1,000 per student. Every gift, no matter its size, gets CAF closer to 13 more classes for our students.

Donate online:
CAF’s website accepts credit card payments, one-time or convenient monthly payments (a year of $84/month = $1008).

Donate by mail: Carlmont Academic Foundation, P.O. Box 104, Belmont CA 94002. Please include your name, address, phone, and email address.

Why donate now? Think of it this way – these are the last four years that you can have a major impact on your student’s education. Don’t wait. Please make a difference.

Sincerely,

Lisa Gleaton

Principal, Carlmont High School

P.S. The classes CAF funded this year are varied and include English I, 9th grade social studies, bio-technology, computer science, three sections of instrumental music, leadership, journalism, and visual arts. Imagine your student’s day without those classes!