“This has to be the largest kickoff we’ve ever had,” said Learning Alliance board chairman Ray Oglethorpe, welcoming roughly 140 guests last Wednesday to a Moonshot Moment Day of Service Luncheon at the Vero Beach Museum of Art.
Learning Alliance literacy programs are now in all 13 Indian River County elementary schools and include partnerships with more than 40 community partners. Recognizing that up to third grade children learn how to read, and thereafter read to learn, the organization launched the Moonshot Moment in conjunction with the School District with a goal of achieving 90 percent literacy by third grade by 2018.
“Since we launched in 2010 we’ve seen some amazing changes happen in this community, and not necessarily for the better,” said Oglethorpe. He said unemployment rose to almost 14 percent, with Vero Beach having the second highest rate in Florida, and that IRC schools have had a 40 percent increase in Title 1 students.
“But in spite of all this, the School District, under Fran’s leadership [IRC School Superintendent Fran Adams] and the support from Community Partners, we’ve made some major, major progress,”
He said every elementary school this past academic year showed significant gains, exceeding expectations. Noteworthy examples include Indian River Academy (formerly Highlands), where principal Diane Fannin has made substantial cultural and academic improvements, and Glendale Elementary, which improved from an F- to an A-rating under principal Adam Faust.
This past year, an Advanced Professional Development program for teachers, after-school Moonshot Academies geared toward at-risk kids, and a partnership with the Vero Beach Museum of Art were initiated.
“For more than 28 years, the Museum has been engaged in outreach and education within local schools and the community, and knows well how the power of the arts can serve as a positive catalyst in early childhood development,” said VBMA Executive Director/CEO Lucinda Gedeon.
Last week the Museum launched its Moonshot Masterpieces – Art Off the Wall project. To date, three works of art from its collection have been reproduced as wall murals, with suggested activities to engage children through the arts. Moonshot Masterpieces are currently at Rosewood Magnet, Gifford Youth Activity Center and Indian River Academy, with more to come.
“It’s really about creating multi-sensory strategies for kids to learn something,” said Barbara Hammond, Learning Alliance co-founder and executive director.
The Learning Alliance received worldwide recognition from a recent PBS NewsHour video, but Hammond said what the video didn’t capture was a school district that said yes, crediting Adams and assistance from the community; supporting the goal and not compromising the vision.
“It’s a beautiful collaboration. It’s people working together in unprecedented ways,” said Hammond.
Guest speaker Ralph Smith, Managing Director of the Campaign for Grade Level Reading, stressed that to succeed, every child needs quality teaching, systems that work and community involvement.
“Here in Indian River County you give us evidence that the aspiration of quality education can be achieved,” said Smith. “We recognize you as a Pacesetter for the Campaign for Grade Level Reading.”
A second speaker was DJ Batiste, a charismatic former gang member whose 11th grade teacher gave him a reason to “live past 21.” While the gang gave him a sense of belonging, he said the shield of education is the one thing nobody can take from you. After attending college, he won a $10,000 award and gave it to “Miss P” in gratitude. “I owe my life to a teacher,” said Batiste.
“The Rocket has been launched, and it’s been launched safely and it’s been launched successfully,” said Adams, who will soon retire. “The work is far from done, and just like Houston, the control center is working feverishly to guide this rocket to a successful mission. This is one big hairy aggressive goal; make no mistake. And it will require commitment from everyone.”