DEANs in Action:

Every dollar of your Tax Deductible Donation goes directly to helping our children. Learn more about where the money goes and way, by clicking on the links below.

Specialists - Math, Science, Technology, Reading and Writing.
Teacher Aides - Reduces student to teacher ratio.
Music Program - More music, thanks to the DEANS.
Science Program - Some applicable facts about the program.
Tech/Computer Lab - Building essential skills for your child’s future.
Teacher Allowance - Assist teachers in buying necessary supplies.

Special Projects – More ways to enrich the learning experience.


                          -- Where The Money Comes From –

-- Where The Money Is Invested –

 

 

Specialists:
The majority of the DEANs annual budget (64%) is targeted toward the basics of learning at the elementary school level or as we used to say, the "three Rs", with maybe a “T” thrown in there. Additionally, the DEANs endeavor to impact the student/teacher ratios by using the specialists to break the classes into smaller components. We fund totally and partially (with the help from the PTA) the following teaching specialists;

• Math
• Science
• Writing
• Reading
• Technology

• Music – Chorale (proposed)

Teachers Aides:
With the classroom enrollments continuing to grow, the DEANs continue to look at Teacher / Student Ratios. The DEANs commit to funding approximately 6 teachers’ aides per year. The learning experience of the children is also affected due to the additional help. This allows for a greater interaction with the students from both the teacher and the aide.  Teacher Aides may assist the teachers by preparing lesson plans, designing homework assignments, tutoring small groups, and supervising project work.

 

Music Program:
For 2007/08, the DEANs have proposed to fund a new chorale program that would benefit grades 1 through 6.  Mary Manos and her staff are actively searching for the right person to lead this activity.  More details to come.

Another program which the DEANs oversees, but does not contribute funds is the Bravo Band (it is self funded through participant’s enrollment fees). The Bravo Band provides students an opportunity to play together as a group, and also to perform in front of an audience.


Science Program:
The DEANS have approved funding for a “science enrichment program” for 2007-08 to enhance our students’ experience with the new Science Lab that has been provided by the District.  These funds are expected to go towards special projects, extra-curricular activities and/or guest speakers to make science more fun and interesting for our children.  In addition to the enrichment program funds, the DEANS (along with the PTA) will continue to contribute monies toward the science specialist position at Andersen.

 

 

Andersen Technology:
Our vision is to increase the student’s knowledge and enjoyment for learning using technology, as well as increasing their technical competency. The DEANS will continue to spend a significant portion of the budget to maintain and upgrade the technology at the school.  In 2006/07, the DEANS spent over $100,000 to maintain and upgrade the technology at Andersen.

We have continued to expand our award winning technology program funded 100% by your donations to the PTA and DEANS.  Some of our projects and funding this year has been:

·          Three new SmartBoards, 5 LCDs, 6 computers, and 7 HP LaserJet Color printers.

·          Our Technology Educator, Amanda Donnell’s compensation package is 100% funded by your donations.

·          All of the compensation for Phillip Stewart, who maintains our computers and network. 

·          Maintain the in classroom keyboard training using AlphaSmart Keyboards.

·          Accelerated Reader and Star Reader.

·          The STAR Math and Accelerated Math program was expanded to include all classes from 2nd-6th grade.  This computer program is a fun way for the kids to review their math skills, assess areas for improvement, and prepare for year end testing. 

·          Expand the network infrastructure to continue to expand the school’s computer network capabilities.

·          Teacher education workshops on integrating technology into the curriculum.

·          Annual renewal fees for Accelerated Reader Program, Accelerated Math, Star Reader, STAR Math, and World Book Online.

·          Almost $10,000 annually to keep the existing equipment functional with supplies such as printer cartridges, repairs and maintenance kits.

·          Graphing using Excel, PowerPoint presentations, blogging, podcasts, illustrations, and report writing

·          We appreciate the families who donated technology equipment and brought us your old cell phones and print cartridges to recycle and raise money.  And thanks for attending the Tim Reese Skate Night Technology Fund Raisers and for Amanda Donnell organizing Dream Dinner Fund Raiser.

·          A HUGE THANKS TO NINA ELISIUS AND PFIZER for donating 2 LCDs, 50 IBM ThinkPad Notebooks and 20 IBM Net Vista Desktops with 17” monitors.  The donations Nina has orchestrated for us in the past 3 years have enabled us to put “mini-labs” in most of the classrooms!

 

We want to thank everyone who donated money to the PTA and DEANS and volunteered to make this award winning (California Golden Bell in Technology) program possible!

 

Jerry Schmitt, DEANS Technology Chairman & Jane Owen, PTA Technology Chairman.

 

Other committee members: Jeff Qualey, Tim Reese, Carol Jewell, Carol Davis, Patty Delgado, Amanda Donnell, Mary Manos and Nina Elisius.. 

A Word From Our Technology Educator:
“Andersen’s project-based learning program has really soared. This year students from Kindergarten through 6th grade have created imovies, podcasts, websites and blogs, online surveys, Excel graphs, and PowerPoint presentations. Students running for student council have recorded their speeches onto podcasts and upper grade students voted for the candidates online. Our students are also involved with an email communication project with students from South Korea.  This project allows our students to learn about cultures different from their own while making a new friend at the same time. The level of excitement and interest of Andersen students is at an all time high. It’s been so thrilling to see this level of enthusiasm from the students regarding technology and the curriculum. Check out these student projects at www.AndersenHomeworkHelp.blogspot.com I know you will be amazed!

We have received so many honors, accolades and recognition for our achievements this year. I have spoken about our technology program at the Orange County Department of Education and shared our projects with other educators from throughout Orange County. I also appeared with a 5th grade student from Andersen with the superintendent of Orange County on his cable show to discuss the positive impact our school has had with students using technology. And recently, Project Tomorrow has honored me as an “Innovative Educator of Technology.” It’s clear that Andersen has truly been recognized as a leader in technology.

            Kudos to our hard working teachers who have succeeded in becoming technology proficient in 6 areas of technology skills. Our teachers worked diligently for 4 months to achieve this goal and thanks to their efforts Andersen received a sum of money from the district.

After 3 wonderful years serving as technology educator at Andersen I am sad to announce that I will be leaving this position to return back into the classroom full time. I’m excited to see what new challenges lay ahead but I will truly miss each student and family here at Andersen who have made these last few years the most rewarding of my career. Thank you to everyone in the Andersen community who have supported this technology program and contributed to another successful year.”
-- Amanda Donnell, Technology Educator


Teacher Allowance:
Over the years, our teachers have reached into their own pockets and purchased items they felt would be beneficial to our children. Although, we appreciate their commitment to our children, we felt the DEANs should set aside discretionary funds for this exact use. Each year, the DEANs allocate monies based upon the number of students in a class to be used by the teacher to purchase items for their classes. These items can be anything from paper and pencils to learning programs and everything in between.

 

 

Special Projects funded in 2006/2007:
The DEANS Board has approved the funding for new audio-visual equipment upgrades to be installed in most or all of the classrooms at Andersen as soon as possible.  The DEANS and the teaching staff believe this will help keep Andersen up to date with the newly built schools in Orange County.  The equipment will likely include a combination of “ELMO” document cameras, LCD projectors and/or “Smartboards.”  While the logistics of installing the new AV equipment is complicated, the DEANs are hopeful that a bulk of this project will be completed over the summer of 2007. 

 

The DEANS initiated a new program this spring to help our students prepare for the standardized testing that took place this past May.  The Carney Review program offered instructional books for all students in Grades 2 through 6 and classroom instruction for participating children.  The DEANS are hopeful that this will enable our children to go into these types of testing situations relaxed and more confident.