SAGINAW, MICHIGAN: Math in the Mail develops foundational math skills in three-year-olds by providing the tools needed for parents and caregivers to help their child learn at home through play. This math literacy initiative is a collaboration between Bay-Arenac ISD, Clare-Gladwin RESD, Gratiot-Isabella RESD, Midland ESA, and Saginaw ISD.

Outside evaluations of Math in the Mail found that participating children, upon entering four-year-old preschool, perform more than two times better than their peers on foundational math skills. Key findings from the latest report include:

● At least twice the percentage of Math in the Mail participants met literacy and mathematics expectations when compared to their peers each of the last three years, indicating that Math in the Mail has a statistically significant positive impact on student literacy and mathematics development when entering preschool.

● For Fall 2019, Math in the Mail participants performed two times better than their peers in meeting literacy expectations on the TS Gold assessment.

● For Fall 2019, Math in the Mail participants performed 2.5 times better than their peers in meeting mathematics expectations on the TS Gold assessment.

Math in the Mail is part of a focus to prepare our students for K-12 science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) experiences and careers in the Great Lakes Bay Region of Michigan. It is FREE for families living in Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland or Saginaw counties with household incomes at or below 250% of the federal poverty guideline. A subscription option is available for families who do not qualify for the free program.

By enhancing children’s mathematical understanding and confidence, Math in the Mail helps to make foundational mathematics knowledge accessible. Families enrolled in Math in the Mail receive a free kit in the mail, 6 times per year, containing materials, resources, and instructions for several age-appropriate, play-based math activities.

The first four years of Math in the Mail were funded by the Dow Corning Foundation, which allowed the program to provide kits to over 3800 children. Funding to sustain this impactful program is currently being sought, and sponsorships are available to area businesses and/or service groups who would like to support this investment in the education of the region’s children.

MIDLAND, MICHIGAN – Hundreds of charities teamed up with LPGA players this past week at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational (GLBI) LPGA Tournament to provide support and earn additional program funding. Math in the Mail benefited from several of those opportunities and took home an additional $18,000 to help fund and deliver more free math kits to 3-year-olds in the Great Lakes Bay Region.

Math in the Mail prepares young learners for K-12 science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) experiences and careers in the Great Lakes Bay Region of Michigan. Six free kits containing a book, manipulatives, and ideas for play are mailed to qualifying three-year-olds over the course of a year. It is free for families living in Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland or Saginaw counties with household incomes at or below 250% of the federal poverty guideline, and low-cost for others by subscription. The tournament funds awarded will be put towards delivering more free math kits throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region.

Lindsay Bryce, Math in the Mail Coordinator, stated, “An additional $18,000 means 250 more children in the Great Lakes Bay Region can receive Math in the Mail for free! We were lucky enough to win closest to the pin thanks to Dow Ambassador Suzann Pettersen! Then, to turn around and take home the grand prize with tournament winners Jasmine Suwannapura and Cydney Clanton is unbelievable. These donations go to strengthening math skills in young learners throughout the region.”

Dow GLBI funding opportunities included teaming up with tournament winners, volunteering at concessions, a closest to the hole contest, and Cisco’s team spirit award. Participating charities received $4,000 just for teaming up. Monday evening at the Dow Diamond Pairings Event, the Math in the Mail golf ball was hit by Dow Ambassador Suzann Pettersen and landed closest to the hole. This awarded Math in the Mail an additional $3,000. For the tournament, Math in the Mail was paired with the winning team, Jasmine Suwannapura and Cydney Clanton, earning them an additional $11,000. Cisco’s team spirit award has yet to be announced; however, the winning charity will take home $5,000. Many athletes, spectators, and attendees witnessed Math in the Mail’s mascot, Tre the Turtle, making his way around the greens and cheering with fans each day of the week-long event.

Dr. Kathy Stewart, Superintendent of Saginaw Intermediate School District, says, “This is exciting news for families of the Great Lakes Bay Region! Thank you to every volunteer, educator, and supporter for their inspiring service to Math in the Mail and the children served by this innovative program.”

Deb Kadish, Superintendent of Bay Arenac Intermediate School District, says, “I was so pleased that we were chosen initially, and then thrilled on Monday night when we heard about the extra $3,000. To have one of our teams win is unbelievable! It was certainly a great tournament and so much fun to see so many Math in the Mail supporters there from our ISD’s.”

​To enroll in Math in the Mail, families should visit www.mathinthemail.org or call 989-399-7415. To help Tre the Turtle deliver more free math kits, call 989-399-7415.