School Needs $250 in 9 Days: Can Monrovia Do It?

Do you remember in January about DonorsChoose.org? I explained to you that DonorsChoose is an easy way for concerned citizens everywhere to support our local teachers, schools, and students.

We actually had a teacher, Ms. Povinelli, who had a project that needed funding, and she was able to secure what was needed for her classroom as a result of the community rallying round. Later, I learned there was a second teacher, Ms. Schlict, who was also in need, and we helped her, too, to !

By the way, I personally donated to Mrs. Schlicht’s project, and I found the experience to be incredibly positive. I got a thank you, and at year end, I received a nice follow-up. It was great to know that my small dollar contribution made a difference, and I would fritter that much away and more on something far less influential.

School years are like revolving doors. No sooner does one end, that there’s another one coming round on the backside. Now parents may not think that, but ask any child or any teacher getting ready for the fresh new school year that starts here in Monrovia on August 27!

Wednesday morning, I got an SOS from dear Heather Mixon Stokes, who helped us rally the cry in the Spring. Heather has been trying to get a hold of me for help to get an article pushed to the Patch. It seems Ms. Povinelli is being proactive and has another Donors Choose project posted on its site. The problem is they need $250 in 9 days, or the funds that have been raised will go to another teacher, and her project will not be funded.

Ms. Povinelli and 2 of her peers at Bradoaks School have decided to co-teach their students this year. That means, combined, they will have 96 students, and among these are squiggly wiggly kids who have the propensity to sometimes get in trouble just because they cannot sit still. Are you one of those kids grown up? Do you have one in your family? Then you know of what I speak.

Ms. Povinelli writes:

“Among this group of students we have students who have been labeled "behavior problems." Most of these labels have been given to boys. We believe this label is only true because of their past environments. How can we make a positive impact on these students forever? My students need yoga balls, squeeze balls, desk-er-cisers, and a pea pod; this will give them the ability to wiggle and learn at the same time.”  

When first published, Ms. Povinelli was seeking $794.02. 8 donors have stepped up and already contributed $545. That leaves just about $250 to go.

Can you look to your heart and into your pocketbook to see if, in the collective, we can help Ms. Povinelli secure the materials to give these kids a more positive environment? Maybe 2 or 3 of you can pitch in together to make a difference.

$250 in 9 days. Can we do it Monrovia? I think we can…and should!

Do it for the squiggly wigglies everywhere.