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Who are the Friends of the Language Academy?

The Friends of the Language Academy, Inc. (“FOLA”) is a 501(C)(3) charitable organization consisting of Language Academy parents and teachers who are dedicated to improving the educational and social experience of all students attending the Language Academy School. We welcome parents of students in both the Spanish and French programs, as well as community members, school staff and administration who wish to promote multi-lingual education and support our mission to provide financial resources to the school for book acquisition, technology, and a sports field.

Why Do We Need To Raise Money?

It goes without saying that schools in California have long been strapped for cash. In California and in the San Diego Unified School District it is difficult to create and maintain innovative academic programs because of constraints on public school budgets.

A recent Rand study concluded that California public schools lag behind other states on almost every objective measure. Although spending has improved statewide in recent years, schools in central cites, such as The Language Academy, “still have a high number of inadequate facilities.” Even the most modest of goals – a few new library books, additional computers, or a grass or turf field – are beyond the reach of a school that can rely only on district funds. While many parents give generously of their time and money, they can hardly be expected to shoulder the entire load – especially at an inner-city school like The Language Academy, where nearly half of the students come from low-income households.

FOLA Board members believe that we cannot wait for state and local government to make improvements. We are dedicated to enabling The Language Academy to achieve its goals both large and small as soon as possible by seeking to raise funds in three ways:

First, we interpret our primary mission to raise funds from corporate and government sources through grants and individual donations. To date, we have submitted numerous grant proposals to entities and our expertise is growing. We are confident that these efforts will help bring in much needed funds, with the support of more parents with experience in grant writing, and with involvement from the Language Academy administration and faculty, and the increased awareness of the uniqueness of our school and its success.

Second, FOLA encourages donations from parents as well as individuals and businesses in our community who have the means to help improve our school. During this past year, three members of the FOLA board made donations dedicated to purchasing new books for the Middle School and the library. These donations and other book collections enabled FOLA to donate more than 1000 books to The Language Academy during the 2005-2006 school year. In addition, FOLA helped facilitate a large donation from students with the Aztec Rec Center at San Diego State University, who sponsored a push-up contest to raise money for our field fund.

Third, FOLA seeks to raise money through community building events. Our first such event was a silent auction held in early December 2005 in conjunction with a PTA spaghetti dinner and 8th grade recorder concert. Turnout was excellent, and we raised over $7000. A good time was had by all.

How Will We Use Donated Funds (What does the school need)?

FOLA is dedicated to serving four distinct and critical needs:

1. Books – books are always in short supply in San Diego public schools these days, and the situation is particularly critical at The Language Academy because we need books in three separate languages. FOLA is dedicated to filling that void, and it provided more than 1000 books during the past year.
2. Technology – learning in today’s world requires access to technology and the skills necessary to use it to its full potential. Over the past year, funds from a recent proposition have enabled the school district to provide computers and other technology to The Language Academy. But that welcome contribution is not enough. FOLA has worked to supplement what the district can supply by seeking out computer donations from various sources and coordinating a program to prepare the computers for school use and install them in classrooms. Over the past year, FOLA has provided more than 20 computers to the school. We hope to continue with an effort to bring in a mobile laptop computer lab for use in the middle school.
3. Athletic Field – most of us have fond memories of playing on a ball field near our elementary and middle schools. FOLA is dedicated to making similar memories possible for our children by converting The Language Academy’s gravel field into a beautiful turf or grass field. This is a long term project. The cost will be immense and the regulatory red tape daunting. But other schools have achieved the goal, and we can too. Many members of FOLA’s current board realize that because of the long lead time our children may never have the opportunity to play on this field while they are Language Academy students. We are nonetheless working hard to make this dream a reality and hope that the parents of students just entering the school will join us in this effort.
4. Student Travel – given our school’s focus on foreign language and culture, travel can be an important part of our children’s education. In recent years, The Language Academy has reinvigorated a program offering teacher-led educational travel opportunities for the students. Because of a lack of funds, however, these opportunities have been limited to families with the means to pay for them. FOLA hopes to contribute to a travel program that will enable all interested students to participate.

How Can You Help?

By joining in these efforts!

If you have just a little time, become a member of the book, technology, or sports field working group. Anyone can help in some way, be it helping to purchase books, trouble-shooting computers, writing letters, or helping with events. If you have more time, or have experience writing grant proposals, please consider joining our board. If time is short, but you have financial resources, please consider making a tax deductible financial donation.

Your contributions small or large and in time or money are much needed. Whatever you give, you can be certain that it will directly help our students to have a more enjoyable and fulfilling educational experience. In particular, FOLA board members are dedicated to donating all overhead expenses necessary to facilitate it projects. As a result, if you donate money to FOLA, you will know that every dollar you donate will go directly to books, technology, student travel, or the sports field fund.

How Does FOLA relate to the PTA?

FOLA and the PTA are separate organizations that often work together to improve our school. FOLA Board members are also PTA members, and we regularly attend and support PTA events. We urge all parents to join the PTA.

Friends of the Language Academy, Inc.

Board of Directors and Officers

• Michael Kenney, President 2008/09
  Parent of child in the French Program
  Email: mlkenney@cox.net
  
  
• Tineshia Kelly, Secretary 2008/09
  Parent of child in the French Program
  
  
• Blan Cox, Treasurer 2008/09
  Parent of 2 children in Spanish Program
  
  
• Veronika Lopez-Mendez, Vice President
  Principal, Language Academy
  
  
• Robert Henderson, Vice President
  
  
• Frances Henderson, Vice President
  Parent of child in the French Program
  
  
• Andrew Walker, Vice President
  
  
• Kelly Casaday-Thompson, Vice President
  Librarian, Language Academy
  Parent of 2 children in the French Program
  
  
• Carlos Avila, Vice President
  
  
• Will Lemkul, Vice President
  
  
• Jessica Salonen, Vice President
  
  
• Henri Migala, Vice President
  Executive Dean, Institutional Advancement, Cuyamaca College
  Director of International Health Programs at International Relief Teams (IRT) in San Diego
  Parent of child in the French Program
  
  
• Stephanie Matticks, Vice President
  Tax Accountant
  Secretary , California Society of Tax Accountants
  Board Member, Auxiliary of the Polinsky Children's Center
  Parent of Child in the French Program

Advisory Board

• Phil Faker
  Parent of Language Academy Graduate
  President, Justin Company
  Registered Financial Advisor
  Founding Member of FOLA & Former President
  
  
• Terri Gillis
  Former President of FOLA
  Attorney at Law
  
  
• Steve Semararo
  Former Vice President of FOLA
  Associate Dean and Assistant Professor of Law, Thomas Jefferson School of Law
  
  
• Susan Baldwin
  Former Vice President of FOLA
  Senior Regional Planner, San Diego Association of Governments