Countless studies have proven the value of music instruction in developing critical thinking and social skills, improving achievement in other subjects such as math, and helping students develop their musical gifts during critical childhood years. The RCEF has long been committed to keeping music education in our schools. Currently, we fully fund the RCEF Music for Learning program for elementary grades and contribute funding to support the middle school Instrumental Music program.

RCEF Music for Learning

RCEF Music for Learning is a sequentially structured general music program delivered by professional educators. The curriculum for each grade is based on the state’s Visual and Performing Arts Framework for California Public Schools.

In early grades, RCEF Music for Learning focuses on:

• Singing: pitch matching, posture, breath, head voice/chest voice, ear-training, enunciation
• Rhythm: steady beat, rhythm, body percussion, rhythm instrument
• Movement: body percussion, folk dance, music games, action songs
• Listening: across the eras and across the world

In 4th and 5th grades, students start instrumental music study with the recorder, developing their playing and breathing techniques. They continue to learn harmony and sight reading for both for notes and rhythm.

RCEF Music for Learning also prepares students for the district's middle school Instrumental Music program for 6th to 8th graders and for opportunities such as the Peninsula Youth Orchestra.

This program is offered in partnership with Music for Minors and receives partial support from the Redwood City Civic Cultural Commission.

In 2010/11, around 4000 2nd through 5th grade students are benefiting from RCEF Music for Learning. The RCEF fully funds the program with its contribution of $157,000, or around $40 per student.

Instrumental Music Program

The district's Instrumental Music program builds on the training students receive in grades 2 through 5, and prepares students for high school orchestra, band, and other music studies.

The RCEF is funding one of three teachers providing instrumental music instruction for 6th through 8th graders in 2010/11. To learn more, please visit our Save Our School Music page.

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1,000 Redwood City fifth graders spend an action-filled week at Jones Gulch, near La Honda, exploring the natural environment and developing skills in science, mathematics, and language arts through the Outdoor Education program.

For more information, visit our Outdoor Education page.

In 2010/11, the RCEF is contributing $8,000. The total program cost is around $60,000.

Well-nourished, physically fit children are ready and able to learn and achieve. From 2005 to 2008, The RCEF helped fund a Wellness Coordinator to work with all our schools to provide standards-based nutrition education and physical activity so all our students could do their best at school and at home.

This unique program was funded by the RCEF through an innovative partnership with Sequoia Hospital/Catholic Healthcare West and Kaiser Permanente.

In 2009/10, the RCEF funded the rollout of the FitFun Guide, developed by members of the District Wellness Committee and the Wellness Coordinator. This guide gives kindergarten through 5th grade teachers an easy-to-use cookbook of physical activities to keep their students active and fit. This is especially critical for schools where parent organizations are unable to provide their own PE programs, as the district currently does not have the capacity to support PE for the lower grades.

Kaiser Permanente and Mills Peninsula Health Services partnered with us for this stage of the FitFun Guide implementation, which included teacher training and supplies. The cost of the program was $20,000.

We are also partnering this year with Serve the Peninsula to incorporate the FitFun Guide into a physical activity program being offered at Fair Oaks, Garfield, Hawes, Roosevelt and Taft.

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The RCEF, in partnership with Oracle and the Westly Foundation, provided $100,000 in grants in 2008/09 to bring innovation into the classroom in the areas of math, science, technology, and the arts. Information on 2011/12 SMART grants will be available in early 2012.

For more information about this program, visit our SMART grant page.

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The Summer Math Institute is designed to prepare selected middle school students for Algebra I. Studies show that students who take Algebra I by eighth or ninth grade are far more likely to take calculus in high school and pursue higher education than those who do not.

At the Institute, students develop mastery in fundamental concepts, improved study skills, and increased confidence in the area of mathematics. Additionally, the Institute provides teachers the opportunity to learn from experienced mentors.

Since 2009, 145 students who were performing below the level necessary to achieve success in Algebra I have attended the Institute. The Institute has more than proven its worth: 72% of 8th grade students who participated in the Institute are currently enrolled in Algebra I and 97% of the parents of 2010 students rated the Institute as "very positive."

With major support from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, the RCEF will be supporting the Institute for its fourth summer this year.

We are proud to partner with the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, RCSD staff and teachers, and our hard working students to provide a program that contributes so strongly to ongoing success in high school and beyond.

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