Communiqué
$100,000. for Mathematics at St. Margaret’s School
Spangenberg Endowment for Enrichment and Advancement of Mathematics Education has been established at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School in Palm Desert, CA by Audrey Spangenberg. Over the next three years, the Spangenberg endowment provides funds for teacher training, instructional aides, supplies, and activities to improve the depth and breadth of mathematics instruction and achievement at all grade levels. The endowment advances student interest in mathematics by providing individual and group mathematics enrichment and remediation activities; improving transitions from the pre-K to 5th grade Everyday Math program to the middle school Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, and Geometry courses; and incorporating mathematics into interdisciplinary activities and projects.
The grant provides resources for faculty to receive professional development and enrichment in Everyday Math instruction and Math Talk methods, bringing a problem solving focus to mathematics instruction. It allows for the development of math-based projects, e.g. robotics, programming logic, and surveying into instruction; broadens the curriculum to include logic, proofs, and higher order thinking; and supports mapping of the mathematics curriculum to recommend additions and/or changes.
In the current school year, the grant provided four days of specialized training in math instruction for faculty. It purchased extensive math manipulatives for kindergarten through 5th grades and surveying equipment for the middle school. The grant provided funds to employ an instructional aide for mathematics enrichment and remediation. It allowed the development of resources for celebrating Pi Day (March 14) and an end-of-year Math Field Day for grades 3 through 5. The grant is assisting with the planning and resources for a three week 8th grade unit on verbal reasoning, logic and flowcharting and their applications to process engineering.
In addition to maintaining the events and activities already established, next year St. Margaret’s will use the grant to emphasize the use of strategy games and math applications by integrating them into other academic subject areas.
Expected outcomes include increased interest and motivation in mathematics for all students and increased opportunities for struggling and advanced students. Incorporating math into other academic subject areas: special math-oriented activities and projects; and an expanded mathematics curriculum will increase student eligibility to enter honors and AP courses in high school and stimulate interest in math as a career. The grant will establish St. Margaret’s as a school known for quality mathematics instruction and its interdisciplinary applications.
For more information:
Dr. Gregory A. Hepner Grant Administrator
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
47-535 Highway 74
Palm Desert, CA 92260
760.346-6268
St. Margaret's Episcopal School consistently exceeds the expectations of parents and students. We invite you to visit our campus to discuss your child's education future or email us at school@stmargarets.org.