targets for donations
As a charter school, we are given "per pupil funding" only, and we have to use that funding for the cost (has doubled) to lease our building, maintenance, utilities (which have tripled in cost), salaries, benefits, equipment and supplies. We are a small school and we have a small income based on our number of students. Because our students are typically indigent, and sometimes even homeless, we do not charge any fees, we provide all of the students supplies: paper, pencils, folders, books, magazines, etc., and we feed ouir students lunch at no cost to them. As the cliche' goes, "We have done so much with so little for so long, we are now capable of doing anything with nothing!" We need your help!
One of our most recent projects has been to feed our students. Many students come to school hungry, have no money for lunch and may not have eaten for days. We are currently feeding all of our students at no cost to them. We have found their attendance, general behavior and ability to work at school has vastly improved when they have full stomachs. We have a kitchen, bakery and have started a culinary arts program, but need supplies and groceries. Join us in helping feed our students.
We had given free bus passes to our students to help get them to school on time last year, but because of shrinking funding, we are no longer able to provide bus passes. Many of our students have a major struggle getting to school everyday because of lack of transportation. Help us bring a student to school on time everyday.
We have purchased new computers, net books and interactive white boards for every class. We are still in the process of raising money to pay for these. Donate to our technology fund and keep our students competitive and in the real world.
We have a fledgling basketball team that has really motivated many of our students to come to school and work harder. They need funds for uniforms, equipment, travel costs to get to games and expenses while they are there. We rely on staff and parents, when we can get them, to help transport students to the games. Help support our sports program and we can buy a couple of vans in the future.
We have moved to a new building at 121 Vesta Street. We are very excited about all of the potential we have here. We need to furnish a science lab with real work stations and equipment. We have been making do with kitchen chemicals and no real science lab for the last five years. Give us some help with our science project or buy some equipment.
Our teachers have field trips planned and we do as many trips locally as we can. We would like to establish a fund to help our students go out of state and out of country to learn first hand about our world. We are helping give our students some roots, maybe you can help give our students some wings.
Believe me, we are not sitting around with our hands out! We practice what we preach. All of our teachers and staff have given to the school and to the students directly. We look for and write grants anytime we find something we think we can qualify for. We have held many fund raisers and we hope you will participate in the ones we hold in the future. One of our founders, Steve Lafer, is heading up a 501(c)3 foundation to help us raise money. But in the meantime, while we are all waiting for the wonderful things that may happen someday, our students need your help now. Please take a moment to make a click and donate some money while your thinking of it. Please know you are not just giving money now, but investing in the world to come.
Thank you!
