This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
I teach Spanish and coach volleyball and bowling at a wonderful, large urban high school. It is a fabulous school full of bright, inquisitive minds and stellar athletes. Unfortunately, the school also faces great needs.
In today's economic climate extra-curricular activities are on the chopping block. Soon there will be no clubs and extremely limited athletic programs. Something must be done! My team has had the same uniforms for eight years. This will be our ninth year using them. We take good care of them and will use them for a few more years. We do not ask for things we do not need. In the ten years I have coached, we have never had warm-up suits. We really need them. It makes everything much easier. We could change for games in our home locker rooms and arrive prepared to play. This may not seem like a big issue, but urban schools do not always have adequate locker room space. A safe, clean space to dress is essential. Having uniform warm-up suits would also build team morale and school pride.
There are many attendance problems in our area, as there are everywhere. Students face gangs, drugs, hunger and many other issues on a daily basis. However, they choose to succeed. They come to school everyday and do well despite the challenges they face. They join teams and clubs and look forward to the future. They work hard to better themselves. Their parents work hard to provide for them.
School pride is extremely important to academic success. Students who take pride in their school do better. Students who participate in sports and other extra-curricular activities also do better. Participating on a team prepares you for the future. The game and practice schedule can be very demanding; yet you must maintain good grades. As a part of a team you learn to manage your time and get your work done. Most high school athletes continue their studies and an elite few may even get scholarships. All receive a valuable lesson in time management and an increased sense of belonging and higher self esteem!
My team needs uniform warm-up suits. They need to feel school pride. Urban students face many challenges: gangs, drug abuse, violence, poverty. Yet my athletes continue to succeed. They come to school everyday and do well. They practice hard and forgo the little things a part time job could provide them. Their parents work hard to provide for them and cannot afford to pay exorbitant fees for extra-curricular activities. Our student-athletes want to become teachers, police officers, doctors, nurses, accountants, engineers and lawyers. Please help me to show them that they matter and that their volleyball team matters. Boosting team spirit and morale will increase their academic success. Students with strong ties to their schools succeed. Please help my girls succeed both on the court and in the classroom so that they may realize their goal of attending a four year university.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mr. Boggs and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.