THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016 7:30 AM TO 9:00 AM THE CURTIS, DENVER, CO FEATURING KIMBERLEE KIEHL, PH.D., EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SMITHSONIAN EARLY ENRICHMENT CENTER A Discussion of the Importance of S.T.E.M. in Early Childhood Education EVENT CO-CHAIRS CODY & SETH BELZLEY AND HOLLIE VELASQUEZ HORVATH COMMITTEE MEMBERS CINDY ABRAMSON LAURA BARTON ALIX CORBOY MARY ELLIMAN ANNA JO HAYNES BEN LUSHER LISA ROY FRANK SCHUCHAT
MILE HIGH MONTESSORI EARLY LEARNING CENTERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR Mary Fowler Elliman VICE CHAIR FINANCE Deborah Davis VICE CHAIR PROGRAMS Devvy Altman VICE CHAIR DEVELOPMENT Cynthia Abramson VICE CHAIR EMERITUS Dennis A. Dahl SECRETARY Cody Belzley Susan Burks Larry Curry, PhD Michael Johnson, Esq. Dr. Sonja O Leary Sierra Russell, Esq. Julia Smissen Dr. Tarik Walker Rodney D. Wicklund COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP BOARD FOUNDING CO-CHAIRS Walter Isenberg Sarah Rockwell, Esq. CHAIR Hon. Carol Boigon MEMBERS Steve Bachar, Esq. Bob Barnes Hon. Susan Barnes Gelt Laura P. Barton Dr. Stephen Berman Punum Bhatia Emily Boyle Claudia Brett Goldin, Esq. Molly Broeren Rita Burgess Linda Campbell Steven Dayney Marlene DeLaRosa Martha Devine Paulette Fara Hon. Elaine Gantz Berman Rebecca and Ken Gart Sen. Lucia Guzman Dale Harris, Esq. Chris Henderson Bruce Hoyt Angela Hutton-Howard, Esq. Gwinavere Johnston Cyndi Kahn, Esq. Maureen Kelly Barker David Koff Hon. Peggy Lehmann Scott Levin, Esq. Hon. Doug Linkhart Monique Lovato Dean Martinez Hon. Carole McCotter Jim McCotter Jill McNellis Patrick McNellis Dr. Paul Melinkovich Hon. Kristen Mix Hon. Judy Montero Zachary Neumeyer Heather Perkins Adele Phelan Dr. Dean Prina Megan Rogers Katrin Rothgery, Esq. Anne Rowe Frank Schuchat, Esq. Eva Slattery Martha Solis-Turner George Sparks Helen Thorpe
WHY STONE SOUP? Mile High Montessori Early Learning Centers started with a concept developed by Anna Jo Haynes over 45 years ago. In the decades that followed, that concept which is the stone in our stone soup has been seasoned by partnerships, civic leaders, communities, volunteers, friends and families, enabling Mile High Montessori to satisfy a growing hunger and need for subsidized, quality early childhood care and education. Over the years, new ingredients have been added to our soup resulting in improved methods of teaching, better health and social services for our children and their families, and a growing understanding of the power of cooperation and collaboration. These ingredients are what give Mile High Montessori the flavor that it has today. They enable our soup to be shared in Denver s poorest neighborhoods and our children a chance for a successful start in school. To continue nourishing Denver s low income children with the quality early childhood education they need and deserve, we need to add ingredients to this soup, enhance its flavor and make certain our pot remains full. Thank you for continuing to be a key ingredient in our success.
The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind. Dr. Maria Montessori PROGRAM OVERVIEW MILE HIGH MONTESSORI EARLY LEARNING CENTERS (MHM) PRIMARY FOCUS IS PROVIDING QUALITY EARLY EDUCATION FOR LOW INCOME CHILDREN THAT READIES THEM FOR KINDERGARTEN AND ACADEMIC SUCCESS. MISSION To provide quality early childhood education for low income children that prepares them for school: To offer a quality educational experience inspired by the Montessori approach that assures quality outcomes for children To provide a professional workforce with ongoing effective education and training To exemplify effective leadership by cultivating a culture of excellence and accountability To continue cultivating innovative partnerships To assure MHM s fiscal health that sustains program quality and excellence PROGRAM MHM operates five year-round early learning centers. MHM serves children at-risk due to poverty, ages 6 weeks to 5 years. MHM uses a Montessori-inspired method of instruction: Montessori fosters social competency, a habit of concentration, initiative and persistence, pride in the physical environment and a life-long joy of learning all qualities which research shows lead to proven school success and responsible and engaged citizens. Head Start services include health and dental screenings and preventive services, family partnership building, parent meetings and parenting education courses which further support desired outcomes. A sixth facility is MHM s community resource and training center for professionals, parents and Family, Friend and Neighbor caregivers. MHM operates two drop-in care centers in partnership with the City of Denver, Denver Warm Welcome Court Child Care and Good Beginnings Child Care Center at the Denver Department of Human Services. HISTORY In 1970, Metro Denver Child Care Association was formed and then merged with Mile High United Way to become Mile High Child Care, a United Way Agency. In 1998, the agency adopted the Montessori Method of education and formally changed its name in 2003. For the past 18 years, MHM has been a Head Start program making possible the delivery of critically needed health and social services, in addition to high quality early education. MHM has deep roots in the community and has developed a strong network of partnerships enabling it to provide high quality affordable early care and education to thousands of children and their families. Partners include PCL Construction Enterprises, Inc., Sage Hospitality, and the Lions Club of Denver. MHM is Denver s oldest and largest premier provider of subsidized early education for low income children.
The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind. Dr. Maria Montessori PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2014-2015 CHILD OUTCOMES For all age children, only 59% started at MHM with the skills they needed to be successful in school. By the end of the year, 89% of MHM students had achieved their school readiness objectives, which included an additional 37% of children reaching developmental milestones in the Cognitive domain, and 34% students meeting or exceeding expectations in the Language dimension. 100% of children received early intervention learning screenings; and of the 16% of children identified with special needs, all received services through an Individualized Education Plan. All children had a medical home and were current on immunizations and physicals. 78% of children had continuous, accessible dental care; 82% received preventive care; 19% were identified to need advanced care and 85% of them received treatment. PROGRAM OUTCOMES MHM preschool classrooms met and exceeded the threshold set by Head Start in all three domains: Emotional Support, Classroom Organization, and Instructional Support using CLASS, a validated tool that measures the quality of teacher interactions with children. All MHM centers are rated as a level 4, currently the highest rating on Colorado Shines, the new Quality Rating and Improvement System, in recognition of the quality of programming provided as a Head Start program and Early Head Start partner. In partnership with Denver Public Schools, MHM continues to serve special needs children in two inclusive classrooms where fifty percent of the 64 students have special needs. FAMILIES/CHILDREN SERVED MHM served a diverse group of 675 children from 581 families. 96% of families live at or below 100% of the federal poverty level ($24,250 for a family of four). Children s demographics were: Hispanic 41%, African American 31%, European American 13%, Multi-racial 11%, Asian American/ Pacific Islander/Hawaiian 3%, and Native American 1%. 65% of the families were one-parent households. The combined annual attendance at the two drop-in centers, Denver Warm Welcome Court Child Care and Good Beginnings at Denver Human Services, was 8,667 visits.
STONE SOUP BREAKFAST 2016 Sponsorship Levels THANK YOU TO XCEL ENERGY FOR SUPPORTING BABIES READY FOR S.T.E.M. STONE SOUP 2016 EVENT SPONSOR $10,000 VIP table of 10 with premier seating Banner at the event Brief podium address Front page logo on program and full page ad Name / logo on invitations* Name / logo on event website EXECUTIVE CHEF $7,500 VIP table of 10 with premier seating Banner at the event Recognition from the podium during the event Front page logo on program and full page ad Name on invitations* Name / logo on event website * information for invitations needed by January 10, 2016 SOUS CHEF $5,000 Table of 10 with prime location Banner at the event Recognition from the podium during the event Full page ad in program Name on invitations* Name and logo on event web site CHEF DE PARTIE $2,500 Table of 10 at the event Half page ad in program Recognition on site at the event Name and logo on event web site Name in program COMMIS CHEF $1,500 Table of 10 at the event Name in program
STONE SOUP BREAKFAST 2016 Sponsorship Pledge Form Name: Address: Phone: Email: SPONSOR LEVEL (check one): Stone Soup 2016 Event Sponsor: $10,000 Executive Chef Sponsor: $7,500 Sous Chef Sponsor: $5,000 Chef de Partie Sponsor: $2,500 Commis Chef Sponsor: $1,500 Visit http://www.milehighmontessori.org to donate via PayPal DONATION PAYMENT INFORMATION Visa American Express Discover Master Card Name on Card: Billing Address: Credit Card Number: Exp Date: Security Code: Checks may be payable to: Mile High Montessori Early Learning Centers mail to: ATTENTION: Lauren Prigge Mile High Montessori Early Learning Centers 1780 Marion Street Denver, CO 80218