Testimonials

As a teacher of 25 years, I have worked with many students. I have never met a student who did not possess a special talent. In fact, I tell my scholars, “Each of you has a very special talent. It is my job to help you find it.” This works very well in my own classroom. In the real world, however, it is more complicated. How will anyone else know what a child’s special talent is, without that child having the opportunity to shine? Destination Imagination provides children an opportunity to shine while developing life long skills.

Having been an appraiser for Destination Imagination for many years, I always sit and marvel at the creativity and cooperation I see while judging the teams. Typically, the best teams come from high performing schools. Their parents journey to DI tournaments—local, state, and regional—and support their children every step of the way. But one must wonder—where are the poor children? Where are the children from the lower performing schools?

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All of us in the Technology and Information Services Department are thrilled with the opportunity to collaborate with the C.A.R.E. Foundation on this ambitious technology initiative aimed at creating meaningful and relevant 21st century learning opportunities for our CUSD students. 

Kathy Bari
Director, Educational Technology

 

When our trip to Baja was cancelled in April, my students and I were absolutely devastated. They had endured nearly a full year of rigorous coursework with the promise that our already approved Baja trip would be well worth the “pain.” I had already made all the arrangements for the Baja trip and was ready to collect money from the students when I learned of the decision. I was truly concerned that organizing an alternative field program analogous to the Baja trip would be next to impossible. Yet, with the help of the CARE Foundation, we were able to make this possible by securing a last -minute reservation at the Emerald Bay camp on Catalina.

Randy Hudson
Teacher / Dana Hills High School
Marine Ecology Program

As a middle school Technology Teacher, it is very difficult to supply my students with the tools they need to be successful.  It is very challenging to get my students the most current technology available, but that is exactly what they need to get ahead in today's world.  I have often come to the CARE Foundation for help in this matter, in the form of a G.I.F.T. grant, and the foundation has always been more than generous.  
I was fortunate enough to receive a grant for external microphones.  These microphones are used by students during interviews, news broadcasts, and many other school functions.  In the absence of these microphones, my students were producing videos that inaudible.  We could not hear vital information.  Ever since we received the new microphones, our Morning Video Announcements are much improved.  Clear communication is the goal of my class, and now we are achieving this goal.

Michael Schreiman
Technology Teacher
Niguel Hills Middle School  

Our Outdoor Science Lab is the Gerhard Garden, named after first Malcom Principal, Dave Gerhard.  School gardens require not just the dedication of teachers and parent volunteers, but also ongoing donations of funds and materials to maintain the garden as a hands-on opportunity for students to cultivate the earth and watch things grow from seeds to flowers, shrubs, fruits and vegetables.  The grant we received recently has been used for gardening supplies such as mulch, tools, seeds and containers.  The grant has kept the garden flourishing as a place for classes to have instruction in a real setting as well as a place for students to engage in a productive, satisfying choice activity during free time.
 
Dr. Faith Morris
Principal
Malcom Elementary, Laguna Niguel

With our foundation GIFT grant, we were able to purchase a number of document readers for our school. These allow teachers to project student writing and books without having to make transparencies. They also magnify and project objects used in science lessons. Students can easily see each other’s work and lesson materials. These document readers have greatly enhanced our instruction. We are extremely appreciative of the support provided by the CARE Foundation. The document readers bring out instruction to life, allowing us to meet the standards in an exciting way!

Elisa Slee
First Grade
Malcom Elementary School

Thank you for all you do.  As we struggle with issues like this at the site level, the thought that there are people who are trying to make a difference for kids is huge.  Thanks again.

Kenny Moe
Principal
Shorecliffs Middle School