By Jennifer Joselin
ABOVE PHOTO: Fell Elementary’s Home and School Assoc. had a very successful first sports raffle! From left Judy Walston, President of the South Region School District for Home and School Association; Phila. Police Commanding Officer Mike Weaver, 4th District; Ms. Tracey Allen, D.N. Fell Elementary Principal Dr. Eleanor Walls, Councilman Bill Green; Vernice Bradley, President of Home and School Association at D.N. Fell and Phila. Police Deputy Commissioner Steven Johnson.
Photo by Bill Z. Foster
Youth reporter Philadelphia SUN
Children are becoming the generation for the future, and they shouldn’t be disregarded. They need all the help and encouragement from teachers as well as parents to succeed. Teachers are trying their hardest to ensure their students to learn, not only academically, but have fun as well. There are schools that acquire a program called a Home and School Association, which helps students to stay involved within activities and to stay off the streets as well.
For instance, the Home and School Association Program at D. Newlin Fell Elementary, located between 9th and Oregon Streets in South Philadelphia, held a sports raffle last week to raise money for their school. Proceeds from the event will go towards their next event called Fun Day, an annual Spring event for all Fell students from kindergarten to the eighth grade.
The sports raffle was an exciting event for the children because the prizes consisted of autographed items from their favorite star athletes; T-shirts, sneakers, photos and certificates. The students also got to meet Philadelphia notables who attended the event such as Councilman Bill Green, Deputy Police Commissioner Stephan Johnson, Commanding Officer Mike Weaver, 4th District, and parents of sports players as well. The twelve winners were excited about the prizes they won and that athletes Michael Vick, Dashan Jackson and Trevor Laws of the Eagles; Malik Allen of the Golden Nuggets, Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies and Andre Iguodala of the Sixers participated by donating and autographing the prizes.
Vernice Bradley, coordinator and president of the Home and School Association was delighted that she could actually help the children as well as put smiles on their faces.
She stated that this was the first sports event that ever occurred through the Home Association Program. Each year she expects nothing but the best for the school and the children. This program is very important for the younger students; it shows enhancement in what they are doing and helps them become more active. It also allows them to participate in activities they either can’t do elsewhere or at their own homes. Activities involve dance, study
classes, and sports.
The Home and School Association offers great benefits not only to the children but to the parents and teachers.
Mrs. Bradley noted that some parents have a hard time communicating with the principal and have a hard time with their child about what they need. The teacher can become a supportive bridge between that parent and child, to find out what the child needs. They also encourage parents to join the activities that the children are attending because the parent plays an important role throughout the activity as well and brings parents and children closer. The students become more comfortable within the environment and their classrooms; which will only allow them to love and attend to school more often.
Therefore, children that join activities conductd by the Home and School Association will be able to learn academically and have a good time as well. They will sense the place that they are in as a safe and exciting place and will be able to communicate with others socially. When teachers see smiles on the children faces, it would feel like they have achieved something.
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