Send the Chess Ninja's to Nationals
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Over the years, the Chess Ninjas of Public School 139 have been to New York state and national champions and continually rank in the top 20 in New York City tournaments. This April, they aim to reclaim their titles at the U.S. Chess Federation’s National Elementary Championship in Nashville, Tenn.
P.S. 139 is a Title I school and struggles, like most public schools, to maintain its extracurricular programs within a limited budget. Yet under Coach Ian West, and with the commitment and support of team parents, and the school’s administration and parents’ association, the chess program has thrived for over a dozen years. But even cases filled with trophies aren’t the real testament to this program.
The children who come through this program learn to be analytic thinkers and critical problem solvers. They’re motivated to become better learners. Chess helps children prepare for life. And, being on a team teaches them about community. The Chess Ninjas are among the brightest in a diverse school of smart, striving children, and they go on to succeed.
The program, including coaching and tournament fees, and travel expenses for out-of-town tournaments, costs $30,000. What the school can’t cover, the team parents try to, through fundraising and out of their own pockets. They need your help. If you decide to donate, here is what your donations will go toward:
* Sponsor two city-wide chess tournaments at P.S. 139
* Send a team to the All-Girls National Championship in Chicago, Ill. in April
* Defray lodging and coaching fees for over 30 Chess Ninjas at the New York State Scholastic Championship in Saratoga Springs, NY and the national tournament in Nashville
P.S. 139 is a Title I school and struggles, like most public schools, to maintain its extracurricular programs within a limited budget. Yet under Coach Ian West, and with the commitment and support of team parents, and the school’s administration and parents’ association, the chess program has thrived for over a dozen years. But even cases filled with trophies aren’t the real testament to this program.
The children who come through this program learn to be analytic thinkers and critical problem solvers. They’re motivated to become better learners. Chess helps children prepare for life. And, being on a team teaches them about community. The Chess Ninjas are among the brightest in a diverse school of smart, striving children, and they go on to succeed.
The program, including coaching and tournament fees, and travel expenses for out-of-town tournaments, costs $30,000. What the school can’t cover, the team parents try to, through fundraising and out of their own pockets. They need your help. If you decide to donate, here is what your donations will go toward:
* Sponsor two city-wide chess tournaments at P.S. 139
* Send a team to the All-Girls National Championship in Chicago, Ill. in April
* Defray lodging and coaching fees for over 30 Chess Ninjas at the New York State Scholastic Championship in Saratoga Springs, NY and the national tournament in Nashville
Organizer and beneficiary
Sally Ellyson Jaskowiak
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY
Ian West
Beneficiary