Great News From Bridgeport PUblic Schools

 

 

The mission of the Bridgeport Public Schools and its supporting community is to graduate all students "college ready" and

prepared to succeed in life.

Congratulations! 

Marge Hiller (center) of the Bridgeport Public Education Fund

smiles with the members of DonorsChoose.org.

 

 

Dr. Ramos speaks to a captive audience, comprised of representatives

from the 24 recipient schools and others of the BPS community.

 

 

Members of the Wilbur Cross Drum Circle open today's

presentation with a great performance.

 

 

Today, Dr. Ramos announced Bridgeport Public Schools’ new partnership with DonorsChoose.org at Wilbur Cross Elementary.  DonorsChoose.org distributed $24,000 in additional funding to 24 Bridgeport public schools at the presentation.  The schools each received $1,000 gift certificates for meeting the DonorsChoose challenge, posting at least eight proposals on DonorsChoose.org by October 15th. 

 

Speakers at the presentation included Dr. John J. Ramos, Superintendent, Andy Kaplan, Chief Financial Officer of DonorsChoose.org, Thalia Theodore, Northeast Deputy Director of DonorsChoose.org, Marge Hiller, Executive Director of the Bridgeport Public Education Fund, and Mary Beth Land, President of the Bridgeport Education Association.  The event opened with a performance by members of the Wilbur Cross African Drum Circle.

 

“As a district, we are very grateful for the efforts of DonorsChoose and for the generosity of the donors,” Dr. Ramos said.  “We continue to struggle with funding issues, yet DonorsChoose allows our teachers to enhance their classrooms with much needed resources.  The Board of Education is very appreciative of every donation.”

 

In demonstration of the effectiveness of this partnership, several Wilbur Cross teachers unveiled the brand new books, board games, stereo system, and bridge-building set they received for their classrooms.  These materials were a direct result of proposals they posted on DonorsChoose.org.

 

Since the beginning of the partnership between Bridgeport Public Schools and DonorsChoose.org in September, nearly 300 proposals have been submitted. To date, 490 teachers throughout 34 Bridgeport schools have received a total of $41,215 in funding.  As of October 24th, 63 proposals have been fully funded.  In addition, Andy Kaplan announced at the presentation that the Charter Oak Foundation has donated $10,000 to DonorChoose.org to directly fund Bridgeport proposals.

 

“We are delighted to have the support of the Superintendent as well as the Bridgeport Public Education Fund to launch our Connecticut expansion in Bridgeport,” said Thalia Theodore.  “We look forward to serving additional school districts in Connecticut this year and particularly encourage high-need districts to reach out to us.” 

 

Since its founding in 2000, donors using the DonorsChoose.org website have funded 32,000 projects, delivering more that $14 million to 700,000 students nationwide.  Since opening to Connecticut teachers last month, donors have delivered nearly $25,000 in resources to teachers and students, primarily in the Bridgeport school district.

 

For more information about DonorsChoose.org, to become a donor, or to submit your next proposal, please visit www.DonorsChoose.org. 

 

Webster teachers unveil their new materials from

DonorsChoose.org donors.

 

Wilbur Cross Principal Denise Clemons-Graham accepts

her school's $1,000 DonorsChoose.org gift certificate.

 

Principal Valerie Singleton proudly represents

Maplewood Annex and accepts the $1,000 with a smile.