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http://www.alliance4ed.org/newsletterarchives/december07.htm

I am also proud of the Alliance's 2007 work in bringing together people who care deeply for public schools. To name a few examples: we helped Boeing stage a surprise visit to Maple Elementary School, where Boeing awarded Principal Pat Hunter and the school a $25,000 gift. We also worked with Kim Ricketts Book Events to arrange for acclaimed writer Ishmael Beah to meet students at Chief Sealth High School. These stories, too, are online.

Certainly a key area of focus for us in 2007 has been a strategic review of our organization. We have been studying our role in the community and our impact as an organization. I look forward to sharing the results of this process in January.

Until then, I wish you and your families a wonderful holiday and a happy new year.

Sincerely,

Patrick D'Amelio
President & CEO

Middle School Math

By Karen Demorest

Warning: This article contains mathematical problems.

I have always loved math. It seems so clean, so precise, and yet for a subject based in logic, a surprising difference of opinion exists about the right way to 'do the math.'

As a young person growing up in Seattle, and going through Seattle Public Schools, I was lucky. I reveled in the patterns in math, (which we called arithmetic until junior high), the sensible and transferable concepts. My understanding of mathematical concepts came easily. But I'm amazed at how difficult it is to translate my understanding to my 4th grade daughter. Hats off to teachers!

Read on to learn about middle school math.

Chinese Literacy Pamphlet

This month the Alliance for Education's Every Child a Reader Partnership, with support from Rotary Club of Seattle, began printing and distributing its "Read Aloud 20" brochure in Chinese. The brochure has useful tips for parents and family members about the importance of reading to young children.

The brochure is now available in English, Spanish, and Chinese, with a Vietnamese version coming soon. Seattle Public Schools is distributing brochures to families at its Kindergarten Fairs in January and February.

Watch our Comcast TV spot and learn more.