Table of contents

Words From our President

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Leap programs are made

possible through grant programs lo-

cally and nationally. Their generosity

and passion for giving back to the

community has made it possible for

Leap to make a difference.

Below are two of our long term founda-

tion partners; Chicago Sun Times and

Polk Bros. Foundation.

Showing

Our

Appreciation

The Chicago Sun-Times believes that investing in the youth

of Chicago and its neighborhoods is an investment in the

future of the newspaper and its Web site,

www.suntimes.com. The newspaper’s charitable founda-

tion, the Chicago Sun-Times Charity Trust, provides finan-

cial support to organizations that help the city’s youth to

reach their highest potential by targeting programs that ad-

dress their needs and empower them with skills necessary

to evolve into literate and responsible adults.

The Polk Bros. Foundation was established by members of the Polk family

who owned and operated the Polk Bros. chain of retail stores. The primary

focus of the Foundation is programs that impact populations of need — par-

ticularly public school children and their families — in underserved Chi-

cago communities. Grants are made for both new and ongoing initiatives in

four program categories: social service, education, arts and culture, and

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Wildcats Take Over LEAP

This spring, leap founder, Catherine Gottfred, Ph.D

gave an inspirational speech to Northwestern’s

graduating M.A. students in the Communication

Science and Disorders Department.

“She challenged new graduates in the SLP

field to go above and beyond and contrib-

ute to every aspect of the field,” said

graduate and new Leap team member,

Nina Smith. “She also said that I would find the cure to

dyslexia, so I have some work to do. “

Northwestern graduates con-

tinue to grow in our Leap

family. Along with Dr.

Gottfred, Northwestern

Alumni, John Lybolt, Jenni-

fer Preschern, Nina Smith,

Jordan Fox, Stephinie Bul-

tinck, Aisha Smith and

Courtney Horton are all

making great contributions to

our Leap success.

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Wildcats Take Over LEAP Preschool Scientist...

Dr. Lybolt provided the keynote

address for the Annual Rush

Preschool Science Gala, speaking

for a half hour about the crucial

role of science in developing

critical thinking and emerging

reading schools. Parents were

recognized for the help they give

at home, making sure that

children are read to and

background knowledge is built

with a myriad of activities. There

were many laughs and squeals of

laughter as he demonstrated the

science of balloon releases, box

stacking, and paper airplane

flights in and over the crowd.

Children and parents agreed that

science for preschoolers can be

found in the simple, familiar and

sometimes messy --- sugar cubes,

drinking straws, and ketchup

bottles.

John Lybolt presented to the Rush

University Preschool Science An-

nual Gala May 6th this year. This

gathering celebrates the outreach

efforts of Rush to preschool class-

rooms at 16 Chicago Public

Schools. "Best preschool scien-

tists" from each classroom and

their parents attend an awards

ceremony where teachers', chil-

dren's and parent's efforts to fur-

ther science are recognized. Chil-

dren in their 'Benefit Best' - tuxe-

dos and suits (specially fitted for

this event) for the boys and topped

out dresses for the girls walk to the

stage to receive their award. Proud

parents and family video, photo-

graph and applaud their walk to

achievement.

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Language For Scholars

Language for Scholars

teaches the use of Academic

English as a tool to help

scholars communicate ef-

fectively with a variety of

audiences. Leap coaches

lead workshops and pro-

vide immediate feedback

that help students learn

and sharpen their speaking

skills. By the end of their

respective programs stu-

dents made significant im-

provements, presenting

their ideas in an organized

way that utilized their as-

signed speech goals.

Leap Learning Systems com-

pleted another successful and

impactful summer of Language

for Scholars programming.

Over 300 students ranging from

middle school to high school

participated in workshops that

helped them develop effective,

real-world communication

skills that will help them suc-

ceed academically and on the

job.

This summer Leap had the

privilege of continuing to work

with program partners that in-

cluded the University of Chi-

cago’s Collegiate Scholars, the

Daniel Murphy Scholarship

Fund, Chicago International

Charter School , and Link

Unlimited. Leap was also happy

to host its second Family &

Friends Language for Scholars

program this summer.

Language For Scholars

This fall the Leap team will

have the pleasure of deliver-

ing Language for Scholars

programming to high school

classrooms within Chicago

Public Schools and at an Af-

ter School Matters program

site.

“It will make it easier for

people to understand me and

project a better impression of

my academic abilities.”-

Collegiate Scholars Student

on the benefits of using

Academic English

“It could benefit me in the

classroom by making me

appear smarter and more

confident. It will show the

teachers that I am a good

student.” -Daniel Murphy

Scholar on Academic English

It will b

enefit me in the

classro

om by showing th

e

teacher h

ow serious I am

about learn

ing.” - Link

Scholar on Acad

emic Englis

h

What it is: LASER (Leap’s After School EnRichment Program) is Leap Learn-ing Systems updated after-school curriculum with a professional development component for educators who work with youth in an after-school setting. What is our approach? LASER improves the performance among students who are strug-gling academically by coaching the after school leaders on effec-tive implementation of Language & Literacy skills. We focus on the four fundamental areas necessary for school success: 1) read-ing decoding skills, 2) reading comprehension, 3) language skills, and 4) writing skills. “The students learned that it is important to pay attention to the pictures and the rhyming pattern while reading a story as a means to predicting novel words or even just the subsequent events in a poem/story.” Christine A. Deyerler, BTH Leader What makes us different? We believe in sticking around to see our clients through the process of academic success. Our clients re-ceive standardized and authentic assessment both pre and post program for staff and students. We provide on-site training monthly, and we are available via phone and email for questions and/or comments. “I appreciate the trainings as well as the on-site visits. The learn-ing, teaching and help were of value”

Laura Coonrod, CUM Leader

LASER...

Gen

erou

s

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LEAP INTO VOULNTEERING!

This year, our dedicated volunteers have

contributed over 100 hours to Leap and the

year isn’t quite over yet! We would not be

able to do all of the work we do nor reach

as many people as we do without the help

of our volunteers. Our

volunteers come from all

walks of life and many,

many educational and

professional backgrounds.

Whether you are volun-

teering for school credits

or personal growth we’d love to have you!

Visit our website and fill out an

application today!

Caring Sharing

Giving

Amazin

g

Helping

Gen

erou

s

Teaching

Mentoring

Learn

ing

Awesome Passio

nate

Faithful

Kind

Ambitious

Hardworking

“Leap was a perfect fit. I am

going to school to be a

Speech Language

Pathologist. Leap has

opened my eyes to a new

experience and a new aspect

that could possibly be my

future one day.” -Nadine

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Building language and

donation ask

Building Language Throughout the Year: the Preschool Early Literacy Curriculum Leap Learning Systems' preschool curriculum is easily adaptable to any classroom but is best utilized when complimented with our Language Strategies training or participation in our Vocabulary Improvement Program (VIP).

For information on these or any Leap Learning Systems professional development program, contact Liz@leaplearningsystems.org. Order your copy of Building Language online today!

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Whats next at leap?

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