Winter, 2009

Dear Friend,

On behalf of the Hyde Park Day School, I am writing to respectfully ask for a donation to

our annual fundraising event. With two campuses, one located on the campus of the University

of Chicago and one in Northfield, HPDS is the only school in the Chicago area that specializes

exclusively in the needs of children of average-to-superior intelligence who have complex

learning disabilities in grades 1 – 8.

Our mission to transition children back to mainstream schools, often within two years, is

accomplished by maintaining a low student-to-teacher ratio, developing a state-of-the art

technology program, and employing highly talented and committed educators and

administrators. Research has repeatedly found that a low student-to-teacher ratio is key to

successful learning, especially in addressing the needs of children with learning disabilities.

This translates into a large operating budget where there is a significant deficit for this

academic year, and a costly annual tuition, making the school out of range for many deserving

students who desperately need our resources. The proceeds from the annual fundraising event

go toward the school’s operating budget and The Bright Futures Scholarship Fund.

Because there are so few options available for children with more severe learning disabilities,

it is imperative we maintain our commitment to helping all children in need of our services, who,

without HPDS, would most certainly languish. There is no greater satisfaction afforded than to

see a child discover and develop his or her own abilities and successfully move on to a mainstream

environment.

Enclosed please find an Auction Donation Form. Donors will be listed in the afternoon’s program

and on our web-site. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Karen Meyer, Director of

Development at 847-446-6095.

The generous support of members of our community is essential to the success of our mission…to

provide students with learning disabilities of average-to-superior intelligence an innovative and

comprehensive educational model that will help prepare them for a successful transition to school

in their home community

Sincerely,

The 2009 Annual Benefit and Auction Committee