ENC- JOIN AUTHORS AT THE JANUARY 30TH- WRITERS WORKSHOP

ENC has donated over $211,050.00 to
Jefferson County public schools since 2009.

Your donations to ENC are tax deductible and will support the goals and purposes of ENC.

You too can be: Dedicated to the Advancement of Education!

If your school is interested in 2016 ENC donations, please contact us about our Read Connect Jeffco program and how we can assist at your school fundraisers. In 2015 Pleasant View Elementary received $3,750 for their support of the Read Connect Jeffco program and Bell Middle School received a donation for their STEM program in 2015 as well. Mitchell Elementary and Kyffin Elementary received donations for art, music, PE and new books and Rocky Mountain Deaf School received a donation for art, PE and new books.

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JOIN AUTHORS ON JAN. 30TH FOR ANOTHER AMAZING WRITERS WORKSHOP!

YOUNG WRITERS' WORKSHOP- EVERYONE

IS WELCOME TO JOIN - ADULTS ALSO!

Enjoy a Fun Morning With Published Authors!

WHEN: JAN. 30, 2016

TIME: 8:30 A.M. to 11:45 A.M.

WHERE: AMERICAN MOUNTAINEERING CENTER

710 10th St., Golden, CO 80401

CHRISTINE LIU-PERKINS - AUTHOR - A workshop on using your curiosity and questions in writing nonfiction GRADES 10 to 12 & ADULTS

Christine is the author of At Home in Her Tomb: Lady Dai and the Ancient Chinese Treasures of Mawangdui, a nonfiction book about the tomb of a 2,000-year-old mummy. She has also written articles for Dig Into History, Highlights for Children, and other magazines. Being interested in what motivates people to think and act as they do, Christine majored in psychology and education, completing a PhD at Stanford University. She loves asking questions and digging into research for answers. Visit

www.ChristineLiuPerkins.com for more information.

LAURA PADGETT- AUTHOR - PUBLIC SPEAKER

A moving way to teach writing through oral storytelling workshop for

GRADES 10 TO 12 & ADULTS

Laura Padgett is an award-winning author who has been published by several book publishers including Chicken Soup for the Soul and Xulon Press and Westbow Press. Her first book, "Dolores, Like the River" spent twelve weeks on her publisher's best-seller list. She has several gold and silver medals in Irish Dance, as well as prizes for competitions in clogging and tap dance. She and her husband Keith, love to travel, garden, and spend time in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado. She has one son, two step-children and three grandchildren. Visit www.lauralpadgett.com for more information.

CHERYL REIFSNYDER - AUTHOR - TEACHER

"Creating Characters Readers Will Love,"

is a fantastic fantasy workshop for GRADES 7 to 9

Cheryl Reifsnyder writes in Boulder, CO, where she lives with one sweetheart, two energetic boys, two bouncy dogs, and more books than she can count. She merges a background in science with a love for writing to work as a science/medical writer by day and writer of middle grade and young adult fantasy and children's nonfiction by night. Her articles, crafts, and short stories have appeared in Highlights for Children, Cricket, Spider magazine, and other publications. Visit www.cherylreif.com for more information.

JODY THOMAS - AUTHOR - Teacher

Fascinating creative fiction workshop for GRADES 3 to 6

Jody Thomas wrote her fist poem, "A Book is Truly My Best Friend," when she was in preschool. Since then she has written a lot more, some of which have been published in Highlights and the Cricket magazines. Jody has studied at Claremont McKenna College, Oxford University, and the University of Colorado at Denver. She teaches writing, literature, humanities, and women's and gender studies at CU Denver, the Community College of Denver, and Front Range Community College.

WILLOW GEORGE - AUTHOR -TEACHER - Outstanding workshop for GRADES K through 2

About the author: Willow George first published poem was when she was 9. She is the Co- Creator of the Jeffco Writing Challenge and for the past 8 years, a facilitator for the Young Writer's Conference. During her first year teaching, Willow wrote Thematic Units for a Multicultural and Gifted Talented Book, Fundamentals of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages in

K-12 Mainstream Classrooms, which is taught across the country at the university level. She has studied at UMass- Amherst and Colorado University of Denver. She holds a Master Degree in Educational Psychology with a practicum in Gifted and Talented. As a Gifted and Talented Specialist, Willow brings the creativity and exploration of writing to a higher level using the arts to illuminate all genres of writing. Her passion stems from poetry and knowing how powerful words, books, and communicating opens can open new windows for each child. She is currently in the process of writing and co-writing two Children's Books and an Informative Book about the Insights of Being a GT Teacher.

Costs for the workshop will be primarily paid by ENC.

Students can enroll now by paying a fee of $10.00. Discount for two students enrolling together $16, (if you are unable to pay the enrollement fee, please contact ENC.) To register please complete this

Online Application and the Online Release Form ,

or by mailing or emailing the Application and Release forms,

Or by downloading the forms at educationnonprofitcorp.com.

Space is limited so sign up early to reserve your place!

Sign up by completing both the application and publication release forms online or emailing to:
[email protected]
or mailing to:
ENC
PO Box 688

Golden, CO 80402

Call 800-978-4290 or 720-354-1444 for questions.

Save the Dates

JEFFCO WRITING CHALLENGE- 2016

YOU CAN WIN $100.00 FOR YOUR STORY!

WHAT: 3RD ANNUAL WRITING CONTEST FOR K-12 STUDENTS

STUDENTS CAN WIN PRIZES UP TO $100.00 FOR 1ST PLACE

SCHOOLS WIN PRIZES ALSO, FOR THE MOST ENTRIES AND THE MOST WINNING ENTRIES

WHEN: MARCH 29, 2016 IS THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT YOUR STORY

MAY 3, 2016- AWARDS CEREMONY

ENC'S FIRST WRITERS WORKSHOP WAS AMAZING!

38 writers from grades K-12 spent their Saturday morning with published authors Terry Clark, Cheryl Reifsnyder, Claudia Mills, and Jody Thomas, learning to develop their plots, characters, and dialogue.

Here's what some of their parents and grandparents had to say:

"My son left the workshop very excited about writing and the thought of being a true author. The following Monday he took his book into his classroom to share with his teacher and friends.....he was very proud of his work. The workshop allowed him to expand his imagination and better develop a story of interest for the reader. What a wonderful opportunity for the kids......we are looking forward to the next workshop!!"

"The young writers workshop had been a wonderful educational experience for my sons. They all enjoyed the information and one of my five boys had even gotten a sign book from the author. I'm looking forward to having them apply what they've learned In their school work."

"My granddaughter loved the experience and wants to attend next year. Her family was very impressed with the writing that she brought home and the enthusiasm she had for meeting an author with whom she was familiar. The fact that she was able to get the author's autograph and visit with her meant a great deal. Thanks
for sponsoring the workshop. Please let us know when the next one will be held."

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Pleasant View PTA Works Wonders

with ENC Donation

Wow! Listen to everything the Pleaseant View Elementary PTSA was able to do with a recent donation from ENC:

"The ENC matching funds grant has been a huge part of our annual PTSA budget in the past several years. With the Spring 2014 grant from ENC, we were able to do all of the following at PVE:

Staged a student Musical production of Disney's Cinderella ($1000)
Purchased new stage microphones/cables for our school's worn out sound system ($400)
Purchased e-books for the library ($650)
Purchased Science books for the library ($250)
Purchased bean bag chairs for the library reading area ($150)
Purchased a new curriculum set for our Music teacher ($250)
Purchased consumable supplies for our Art teacher ($250)
Purchased iPads for student use (the PTSA bought 10 that year, close to 2 of them were paid for by the remainder of the ENC grant $800)

As you can see, we spread that money around to many areas of the school! We make a very concentrated effort to use it in ways that will benefit the most students, and in areas that school and district funding are often lacking. As a high poverty school, it is very difficult for us to effectively raise funds from our families. We have come to rely heavily on grants to make things happen. Thank you so much for the support from ENC!"

ENC is donating another $3750 to Pleasant View to provide support for the READ Connect Program, as well as their music, arts, and PE programs. These donations are also available to other schools who provide volunteers for the READ Connect Program. Please click on this link READ Connect Jeffco or see the "Volunteer to Read to a Child" article below for more information.

When you support ENC, you support work like this. Buying a raffle ticket or making a donation may not seem like much, but it all adds up to help ENC support schools right here in Jeffco!

THANK YOU to Golden Merchants for all their donations for the 2015 Amazing Gift Baskets!!!

Over $1,700 worth of Holiday Cheer was included in the three baskets that were raffled at the Colorado Mills Jump Street.

Prizes included gifts from:

B&B EA Publications - "Cracking the System:

Study Skills for Teens" Books $39

Colorado Railroad Museum - 6 Family Four Packs $180

Dinosaur Ridge - Family Four Pack $32

Destination Dance - 2 $60 Gift Certificates $120

A Touch for Wellness - 4 Massages, Facial and Acupuncture $425

Jefferson County Fairgrounds - 2 Nights Camping $80

Jefferson Symphony Orchestra - 2 Season Passes $198

Jumpstreet - 2 Passes for One Hour Sessions $24

Love and Logic - Parenting Package for Ages 7-12 $60

Meyer Hardware - 2 $50 Gift Certificates $100

Spyderco - (Pocket Knife) Native 5 $139.95

"Roses" Photograph by Ronnie Seagren $60

Clothe Art of Downtown Golden by Corinne Nichols $15

Glass Art from Mariposa Glass Designs $32

Greeting Cards from Jesse Crock $6

2 Artistic Water Colored Book Markers $6

Clay Art from Carroll Fennell $34

Clay Rose Vase from Mike & Judy Cramer $20

"Pika Gathering Grass" Photograph by Bob Rozinski $45

"Crane" Photograph by Andrew Kelly $20

Decorative Coffee Mugs from Village Gourmet $20

The Craft Box - Gift Certificate $25

Runner's High - 2 $25 Gift Certificates

Laura Padgett - "Chicken Soup for the Soul, Merry Christmas" Book $14.95

Save the Dates

REMEMBER TO START WRITING NOW FOR THE UPCOMING WRITING CONTEST!

JEFFCO WRITING CHALLENGE 2016

YOU CAN WIN $100.00 FOR YOUR STORY!

WHAT: 3RD ANNUAL WRITING CONTEST FOR K-12 STUDENTS

STUDENTS CAN WIN PRIZES OF UP TO $100.00 FOR 1ST PLACE

WHEN: MARCH 29, 2016 IS THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT YOUR STORY

MAY 3, 2016 AWARDS CEREMONY

Jeffco Writing Challenge 2016 Flyer

Volunteer to Read to a Child

You Can Help ENC Launch our Reading Mentor Program:

READ CONNECT JEFFCO (RCJ)

READ Connect Jeffco (RCJ) is a nonprofit organization (through ENC) that will group students with volunteer adult readers. READ Connect Jeffco will be creating a shared reading experience in preschools and kindergarten programs during the 2015 school year.

Reading at a young age can be vital in future school success and literacy. Reading with a

caring volunteer reader can promote a joy of reading and learning, and greater self-esteem in young children. Positive role model readers can inspire children to read and learn. READ Connect Jeffco will implement these programs in the 2015 school year:

Lunch time reading
Story time reading sessions

WHY DOES READ CONNECT JEFFCO BELIEVE IN READING PROGRAMS?

Functional illiteracy is evident in many facets of life today. Our children's ability to compete in today's world and a global market economy can be enhanced by functional literacy and enhanced reading skills. Poor reading skills can jeopardize our country and our childrens' welfare.

PROVEN RESULTS

Reading with Mentor programs in many other major cities has proven immensely successful and has improved childrens' self esteem and reading skills. For example, a very successful reading program in Washington, DC is "Everbody Wins- DC", and this program has inspired many young readers. The "Everybody Wins- DC" program has affiliations in many other states.

MENTORS - YOU CAN VOLUNTEER

RCJ is recruiting lunchtime reading volunteers from companies, government groups and other community organizations. Ask your company or organization if they would like to participate in the RCJ lunchtime reading program. You can let your company know, through their point person, that you want to volunteer to enhance a child's reading skills by reading aloud during lunch.

CONTACT: Barbara Banning, RCJ Mentor Coordinator for more information or for a Mentor Application. Tel: 720-354-1444 Email: bbanning@educationnonprofitcorp

If there is no lunchtime reading in your area you can still volunteer. You can also help donate to RCJ online by credit card, by mail via check or by phone for donating stock. Call 720-354-1444 for more information. RCJ will be operated by ENC, a 501 ( c )(3) tax exempt organization. Donations are fully deductible to the extent allowed by law.

You can volunteer either as a representative of a company that participates with the RCJ reading program, or through an organization that supports the RCJ reading program.

If your organization is interested in participating in the RCJ reading programs, we ask for support in these areas:

Promote information sessions about RCJ reading programs
Send a financial donation to support the RCJ reading programs
Financial support will allow for: enrichment programs for children
Recognition events for volunteers
Funding books for the RCJ reading libraries at schools
Funding books for students to take home
Fund liability insurance for each volunteer
Other administrative costs and support staff

To become a Reading Mentor, contact Linda Rediger at 303-279-8659, or Barbara Banning at 720-354-1444. For information on sponsoring events, or opportunities for a specific event, contact Bethany Glesser at 800-978-4290.

Sponsors of events will be recognized on signage at the events. Sponsors are also recognized in the newsletter and are thanked on the RCJ website as well as the donor related materials.

READING 3 X PER WEEK PROMOTES ENHANCED LITERACY AND HIGHER READING TEST SCORES
READING TO YOUNG CHILDREN - READING IS CRUCIAL DURING PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN YEARS

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For some great information about reading to children, check out "Bringing books to life," from The Monitor:

Psychologists' research points to new ways to nurture young readers.

By Jamie Chamberlin

Most parents know that reading bedtime stories to preschoolers is key to developing early literacy. But new research with low-income children by psychologists suggests it takes more than nightly reading to foster a child's future reading success. Parents, teachers and others who read to children must also engage young children with lively, enthusiastic recitations that bring characters and plots to life, and pose open-ended questions that spark children's comprehension, vocabulary and interest.

Such reading-aloud extras, say researchers, are as important as regular teeth-brushing for children ages 4 and 5 because they can be the difference between a child who picks up reading easily and one who struggles when he or she reaches kindergarten.