My students need gear to play in their school-league games. We have four squads, but are trying to fund just two squads. They don't have training jackets, shin guards, bags, etc.
FULLY FUNDED! Mr. N.'s classroom raised $3,969
This project is fully funded
My Students
My high poverty students are wonderful and inspiring young people. They are very excited to participate in our soccer program, even though they do not have uniforms/gear that others in our district have. They feel proud of their school and want to be able to represent our school throughout the city.
Our school is wonderful and the gains we are making are noteworthy.
My students are wonderful young people, who come from immigrant families in one of the most diverse zip codes in the US. The one thing that binds them together is their love soccer and a real sense of community with one another through their school team. We see their school work and attendance improve, and our weekly grade-checks and after-school study groups show results. For many, this is often their first team experience. But they quickly learn the value of community, teamwork, helping and communicating with one another. Although some initially show up barefoot to play in the mud, they eventually come together as a real unit. The team speaks four languages, and they work extremely hard to learn to play together and compete against select-level squads that are adequately funded. Although they don't have funds to purchase equipment, they should be able to compete like all the other students in the district.
My Project
When student-athletes are academically eligible (with good grades/behavior) they will come to school with their "kit" in a nap-sack and walk the halls as a member of either the Varsity or JV Team. Their connection with the school and their sense of place within it grows strong. They will show up to practices and games in matching uniforms (training jackets, bags, etc.) and try their best to behave in a way that reflects well on the reputation of their school. We are a high-poverty Title I school and this after-school program gives them a snack, supervises them, teaches them the values, rules and skills of soccer and then provides transportation home. Although they do not have the financial support for gear that others in our district have, they should all be able to represent our school with pride. They learn many things each season; hard work pays off, teamwork means being nice, resilience means not giving up when things are difficult and frustrating.
Our soccer program changes the lives of our young student-athletes.
This isn't a sports program as much as it is a life-skills program that teaches skills young boys and girls need later in life. Program success isn't defined by W-L Record or numbers playing in leagues. I want my students to learn "growth mindset" and cooperation. They come a long way each season and learn that hard work pays off, teamwork means being nice, resilience means not giving up when things are difficult and frustrating.
More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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