I am a fourth year teacher working at an inner city school with very few resources. The school is a great community filled with teachers who extend themselves everyday to give much needed help to their students. I consider myself to be one of these teachers. I come to school early and stay late to work with my students and work on my classroom so that the hours spent in the classroom are enjoyable as well as educational. The students at my school come from very poor families. 10% of the students are homeless and all of the students in my class receive free breakfast and lunch. For many of these students the meals that they receive at school are the only meals they receive all day. I play the role of teacher and parent to many of my students and do everything within my means to help them.
Unfortunately our school does not provide many after school activities for students. Students are sometimes pulled into gang and drug activities because they have nothing to productive to do after school. I suggested hosting a knitting circle after school, which would allow students to unwind after a long day of school, discuss issues with a small group of students and of course learn a new skill... knitting! Additionally, students will help other children in our community by donating the scarves that they make to local children's hospital. I was amazed by the number of girls and boys who wanted to join my knitting circle. Students really wanted to learn how to knit, spend quality time with other students in a relaxed environment AND help out other children in need. I am thrilled that so many students want to participate in my knitting circle, however, I do not have the needles and yarn to accommodate all of the students who are interested. I do not want to have to turn down any students! I believe that this after school program is a great way for students to stay off the streets after school, learn a new skill and do something great for other children in need.
PLEASE HELP MY STUDENTS GIVE BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY, LEARN A NEW SKILL AND ENGAGE IN A SAFE ACTIVITY AFTER SCHOOL!
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