My students need twenty-five string instruments and accessories in order to participate in our school's orchestra (this is the second of multiple projects posted).
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.
My Students
Our purse strings are a little tight. Will you help us get tuned up and running with stringed instruments for our low-income students? This is one of multiple projects posted in order to obtain violins, violas, and cellos for 25 students whose parents cannot afford to provide instruments for them.
Our school has a high percentage of low-income students, with 57.2% of students being economically disadvantaged.
This year, our school qualified to provide 100% of students free lunch and breakfast. Our school is also very ethnically diverse (42.1% white, 48.7% black, 4.7% Hispanic/Latin, 3.2% Asian, 1.3% Other). Our school is a "school choice" school, and we have a lot of students from low-performance schools in the county opting to attend, which has also increased the need for funding at our school.
Last year was my first year at this school and we had 32 fourth and fifth-grade students play at the end-of-the year String Orchestra Concert. This year, Orchestra enrollment has doubled!! Sixty-five students have signed up to participate, out of a total of about 150 fourth and fifth graders! However, 25 of these precious students cannot afford to provide their own instruments, either by purchasing, renting, or with the help of extended family. Others need help with stands/books.
My Project
Learning to play an instrument and belonging to the school orchestra opens up a whole new world of friendship and fun. Orchestra provides a great foundation for our students in all aspects of life. In addition to music, students learn self-discipline, group cooperation, problem-solving, goal-setting, self-expression, memory skills, concentration, poise, enhanced physical coordination, high self-esteem, and the importance of teamwork. These skills are in great demand in almost every aspect of life. Like all of the arts, music has a profound effect on the academic success of students as well. Our students have gone on to participate in orchestras at the middle and high school levels, and research shows that the earlier students start, the more likely they are to keep playing for life. Playing an instrument well often leads to college scholarship opportunities, which many of these students will need.
Our students love strings!! This year we have an 85% retention rate of rising 5th graders.
My students are counting on help from donors like you to make possible their dream of learning how to play a stringed instrument and to be a part of this special ensemble.
Orchestra provides so much more than just teaching these students to play. They learn life lessons and skills that will serve them well for their entire lives, which affects all of us! Please help my students with your generous donations. I do not want to turn away even one student. Thank you for your help!
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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 Mrs. FOLTZ and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.