Sonoma Bank Donates to Mike Hauser Algebra Academy

At right, Ryan Beach, Sonoma Bank, presents Jonathan Coe and Kelly Bass, Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce, with a check for the Mike Hauser Algebra Academy.

The $1,500 donation was granted from Sonoma Bank as part of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) funds, and will be used to help fund the 2012 Mike Hauser Algebra Academy.

The Academy helps English-learning students entering the eighth or ninth grade grasp algebra concepts by offering them a direct learning experience each weekday for three consecutive weeks during the summer. Students rotate every week to three of four partner companies (Agilent Technologies, JDSU, Medtronic and PG&E). The daily algebra lesson, given by a credentialed math teacher, is held in a conference room located on-site where students have time to interact with engineers and professional staff to reinforce their lesson. They are given several tours of the workplace while observing demonstrations and participating in hands-on activities. The result is students can better organize their thoughts, solve problems through logical reasoning, and commit algebra concepts to long-term memory. As one of the Academy students noted, "I see math with a different perspective. Now, I get it."

For the first time this year the Chamber will be seeking student scholarships for the Algebra Academy. A $500 scholarship supports a student through the program, which includes transportation and lunch each day. For more information on the Mike Hauser Algebra Academy, please contact Kelly Bass at (707) 545-1414 x16.