Support Fifth-Quarter — A Proven Success

Summer 2013

Joseph “Joe” Micon

Dear Friend,

When he grows up, seven year-old Christian Morrenga wants to be a firefighter.  Eight-year-old Devine Myers wants to be a nurse.  And nine year-old  Dylan Tibbett wants to be a police officer.  Whether or not they each grow to realize these, or similar dreams, depends upon the foundation that is laid for them now, during their formative years.

Success during the school year in math, science and reading are crucial to their future career prospects and economic well-being.  But continued learning during the summer months is too often overlooked for low-income children like Christian, Devine and Dylan.

Christian Morrenga

Students from disadvantaged backgrounds score a full two years behind their more advantaged classmates by the end of grade school.

That’s why the Lafayette Urban Ministry is so adamant about continuing to offer our Fifth Quarter Summer Learning Retention Program.  

Fifth Quarter is a day-long learning retention program serving 60 low-income, elementary-aged children throughout the summer months.  We employ fun-learning techniques to boost the children’s proficiency in reading, math, science and social studies.  Our goal is that each child be better prepared to return to school in August.

The standardized pre- and post-tests administered to LUM’s Fifth Quarter participants during previous summers have shown very promising results:

• On average, Fifth Quarter participants experienced a 25% increase in decoding vocabulary, while those in a control group showed an 8% loss.

• Fifth Quarter participants experienced an 18% increase in reading comprehension, while those in a control group showed a 12 percent loss.

• Fifth Quarter participants experienced a 30% increase in math computation skills, while those in a control group showed a 22 percent loss.

Each morning of Fifth Quarter begins with a gathering program, nutritious snacks, recreational reading and educational games on the laptops.  Then it’s on to our educational pods in math, science and social studies.

Devine Myers

Fifth Quarter isn’t summer school.  Often, our sessions are held in the city park or outside of the LUM Youth Center under a tree.  The learning is hands-on with plenty of enthusiasm and encouragement offered by LUM’s Fifth Quarter teachers.  There are frequent field trips to the library, Purdue, or other locations where the children have fun and experience new things.

And Fifth Quarter allows the children’s parents to attend their jobs each day knowing their children are safe and secure in an academically stimulating environment.  While at LUM the children meet new friends, experience positive adult role models and grow in confidence and self-esteem.

Dylan Tibbett

I hope you will join me in financially supporting LUM’s Fifth Quarter Summer Learning Program.

It will cost LUM $22,200 to operate Fifth Quarter for our current nine-week, 2013 summer session.  Included in that amount are the cost of program’s four teachers, curriculum, supplies, snacks, books and transportation.

Your gift of $50, $100, $250, $500, or more, will help LUM to continue this remarkable program that one day soon might be responsible the finest fire fighter, nurse and police officer our community has ever produced!

On behalf of Christian Morrenga, Devine Myers, Dylan Tibbett, and all the other members of LUM’s Fifth Quarter Class of 2013, please accept my sincere thanks for your special friendship and generous support.

Gratefully,

Joe Micon
Executive Director
Lafayette Urban Ministry

P.S. — Please, won’t you support LUM’s Fifth Quarter Program?  Send your gift of $50, $100, $250, $500 or more today.  Mail it in  or give online at www.lumserve.org

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