326 Joliet Street, West Chicago IL 60185
PRESS RELEASE
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326 Joliet Street, West Chicago IL 60185 |
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| Contact: | Mary Randle |
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| Community Relations Coordinator | |||
| 630/876-6556 | |||
| Date: | 28 Nov 2005 | ||
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PRESS RELEASE |
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CHS Students' We-Go to Africa Project
to Build School in Angola
Students in Community High School's Community Leadership class are spreading their influence beyond the District 94 area to the Republic of Angola. They are joining with other CHS clubs and activities and some businesses to help RISE International raise money and collect items such as school supplies and seeds. Ten thousand dollars of the amount raised will be used to build a school in Angola. Any remaining money will be used to buy books and other items needed for a child to attend school.
Why are they doing this? For twenty-seven years, Angola was devastated by a civil war, which destroyed most of the country including its vital education system, leaving an entire generation unable to read or write. The CHS Community Leadership class decided to help the cause that was started by RISE International, that of helping to rebuild the education system in Angola.
What are they doing to help? First, they brainstormed ideas that might help to raise $10,000. Out of that brainstorming session came several ideas including designing and selling project tee shirts, sponsoring a tape-a-teacher-to-the-wall fundraiser, and others. In the tape-a-teacher fundraiser, students compete to raise money for the privilege of taping their favorite teacher to a wall at a school pep assembly.
Then, to gain better understanding of the gravity of the situation in Angola and how they could help, some of the Community Leadership students attended a weekend presentation by RISE International. They experienced the dance and food of Angola, including the corn crushing techniques used there. They also saw an inspiring video. When they returned to class, they presented the video that had been donated by RISE, and shared their thoughts about the project with their classmates.
The next step is to meet with students from New Trier High School who have successfully raised funds in the past to build a school in Angola. They will meet with the Community Leadership class from 12:45 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, November 30 in room 198 at Community High School. They will share their ideas on the most effective ways to raise funds for the project. "Our hope is to be able to spread a little of our own good fortune around the world," said student Stephanie Gore.
Community Leadership is a one-semester course taught by social studies teacher Mary Ellen Daneels. In the class, students explore what it means to be effective citizens of their communities. "The students are really excited about this opportunity to have a positive impact on the children of Angola," said Daneels. "They hope our community will join them in this effort," she added.
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Mary Ellen Daneels: mdaneels@d94.org
630.876.6453