ESUSD Remains Committed to 21st Century Skills Despite State Shortfall Superintendent Geoff Yantz prepared his annual grant request to the ESEF this spring under the dark cloud of the State's $24 billion budget short-fall. It's difficult to contemplate what the future might hold amidst so much financial uncertainty; however, Yantz knows one thing for sure. "It is imperative to emphasize 21st Century skills across the K-12 curriculums to the end that all graduating seniors--whether advancing to college, the work-force, or a professional academy (FIDM, Art Institute, Culinary Arts Institute, etc.)--excel in the 21st Century skills necessary to ensure success in a global economy," he wrote in his proposal. Education matters to our children and to their future. Difficulties like we're facing today in California increasingly magnify the important role that the El Segundo Educational Foundation plays in our community and our local public schools. The ESUSD remains committed to its efforts to provide students a meaningful curriculum with lasting value long after they complete their high school education. As businesses adapt to global competition they are increasingly identifying these essential skills as priorities for their new hires: creativity and innovation; financial, economic, business, and entrepreneurial literacy; contextual learning; collaboration and communication; information, media, and technology literacy; and personal health and wellness. The following programs were presented to the El Segundo Educational Foundation at its June 9th board meeting for funding consideration for the 2009-2010 school year. With the District's focus on 21st Century skills, all program requests are directly related to the development and emphasis of those skills in our children's K-12 education.   The Robotics Program at the high school and middle school, which emphasizes creativity and innovation.   A Financial Literacy course at the high school, which builds financial, economic, business, and entrepreneurial literacy.   The AVID program, which aids with contextual learning skills.   Link Crew, the K-12 Music Program, and a reading specialist, which advance collaboration and communication skills.   Technology support and training, PowerSchool, and Info Snap, which reinforces information, media and technology literacy.   Physical education programs at the elementary level, which promote personal health and wellness. The total grant request of $450,000, approved by the ESEF Board on June 9th, will help implement and maintain these important 21st Century skill-building programs in 2009-2010. The need for these skills will only continue to grow during such trying times. Yantz says, "As businesses continue to be redefined at warp speed by the ever evolving changes brought on by global competition, employers are becoming increasingly able to define and refine the most crucial skills they seek out in new hires." Several of the mentioned programs have already produced measureable successes, for example: 90% of sophomores and juniors in AVID have taken the PSAT; the beginning, intermediate, and advanced bands as well as the ESMS choir all held award-winning performances this year; and the ESHS Robotics Team placed 2nd in the Raytheon competition and has been invited to participate in a major tournament in 2010. El Segundo has always been known for its excellent schools. To prepare our young people for the world that lies ahead of them, let's come together and ensure our schools have the funds they need. Give today to the current campaign and make sure the ESEF remains one of your top giving priorities for 2009-2010.