JOSEPH LEE SCHOOL GRADUATION FUND
Donation protected
Hello everyone, my name is Kwame Sarfo-Mensah and I am the 7th & 8th Grade Math Teacher at the Joseph Lee School in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, MA. This is a special school year for the Lee because it has officially become a K-8 school, which means that this year's 8th Grade class will be the first graduating 8th Grade class in the 43-year history of the school. This year's 8th Grade class consists of 70 students, many of whom come from low-income families who fall below the poverty line. With that said, the ability to contribute funds towards end-of-year graduation festivities is a challenge for many of the students and their families.
To help alleviate the financial burden on those families, I have decided to start this project to raise funds for the end-of-year graduation festivities, which will consist of a graduation dinner, semi-formal dance, and caps & gowns for the culminating graduation ceremony in June 2015. Over the past three years, this 8th grade class has been greatly impacted by the school's gradual transition from a K-5 school to a K-8 school. They have been subjected to school budget cuts that have resulted in the loss of many of their favorite extracurricular programs (i.e. athletics, arts, music) and school bus transportation. Furthermore, the school budget cuts have caused these students to miss out on many fun field trip opportunities.
With all that in mind, my goal is to give this 8th grade class the proper farewell that they deserve and to recognize them for all their hard work and effort. More importantly, the festivities will not only serve as a testament to the resilience and determination of these students but it will serve as a testament to their parents & guardians, who have made their share of personal sacrifices to ensure that their children are in the best position to be the best scholars that they can be.
For anyone who was born and raised in the urban community (particularly in the Dorchester & Roxbury neighborhoods here in Boston), you have first-hand knowledge of the social vices that these children are exposed to on a regular basis. Some of these social vices include alcoholism, gun violence, teenage pregnancy, and drug use. In spite of everything, these students still make a concerted effort to come to school everyday because they simply want to have a better quality of life than the people they encounter in their respective neighborhoods.
That being said, I am asking that you all find it in your hearts to donate to the Joseph Lee School Graduation Fund. If you are able, please donate what you can. EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS! If you have financial hardships at this time, spreading the word to your family and friends about this project will be just as helpful. I will be accepting donations for this project for the next five months.
On behalf of the 8th Grade class of the Joseph Lee School, thank you for taking the time to read our story and help in our cause!
To help alleviate the financial burden on those families, I have decided to start this project to raise funds for the end-of-year graduation festivities, which will consist of a graduation dinner, semi-formal dance, and caps & gowns for the culminating graduation ceremony in June 2015. Over the past three years, this 8th grade class has been greatly impacted by the school's gradual transition from a K-5 school to a K-8 school. They have been subjected to school budget cuts that have resulted in the loss of many of their favorite extracurricular programs (i.e. athletics, arts, music) and school bus transportation. Furthermore, the school budget cuts have caused these students to miss out on many fun field trip opportunities.
With all that in mind, my goal is to give this 8th grade class the proper farewell that they deserve and to recognize them for all their hard work and effort. More importantly, the festivities will not only serve as a testament to the resilience and determination of these students but it will serve as a testament to their parents & guardians, who have made their share of personal sacrifices to ensure that their children are in the best position to be the best scholars that they can be.
For anyone who was born and raised in the urban community (particularly in the Dorchester & Roxbury neighborhoods here in Boston), you have first-hand knowledge of the social vices that these children are exposed to on a regular basis. Some of these social vices include alcoholism, gun violence, teenage pregnancy, and drug use. In spite of everything, these students still make a concerted effort to come to school everyday because they simply want to have a better quality of life than the people they encounter in their respective neighborhoods.
That being said, I am asking that you all find it in your hearts to donate to the Joseph Lee School Graduation Fund. If you are able, please donate what you can. EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS! If you have financial hardships at this time, spreading the word to your family and friends about this project will be just as helpful. I will be accepting donations for this project for the next five months.
On behalf of the 8th Grade class of the Joseph Lee School, thank you for taking the time to read our story and help in our cause!
Organizer
Kwame Sarfo-Mensah
Organizer
Boston, MA