As a teacher I had the pleasure of being invited to hear a great announcement by Staples and a new program, called “Think it Up,” which awarded Atlanta students and teachers more than $250,000 dollars for their class projects.
Staples announced that it funded more than 200 local classroom projects in Atlanta, as part of its recent $10 million pledge to Think it Up™, a new national initiative of the Entertainment Industry Foundation that seeks to inaugurate a new movement in support of students, teachers and schools, helping create a culture of excitement about learning everywhere in America. This fall, Think It Up, in partnership with DonorsChoose.org, will launch a platform to fund student-powered, teacher-led learning projects in classrooms across the country.
“I’m happy to celebrate this donation from Staples to help teachers in Atlanta Public Schools,” said WSB-TV Channel 2 Action News Anchor Jovita Moore. “We’re having a real impact on children’s education, thanks to Think It UpTM, its partnership with DonorsChoose.org and Staples’ commitment to supporting classrooms.”
Danielle Campbell, actress and Think It Up ambassador, also attended the announcement in support of Atlanta’s students and teachers.
“I’m proud to join EIF’s Think It Up movement and help kick off the school year in a big way for students and teachers in Atlanta Public Schools,” Campbell said. “I’ve had the privilege of working here a lot over the last few years, so Atlanta has become a second hometown to me. It’s wonderful to know that Staples’s investment today will bring to life meaningful learning experiences for so many of the city’s young people,” she added.
Teachers and students at Bunche Middle School had no idea why they were called into an assembly Thursday morning.
“I was very surprised. I had a chance to see the superintendent in the building, so I thought she was coming to talk to the entire school,” said teacher Hilarie Anelone.
Channel 2’s Jovita Moore hosted the event where the teachers and students at Ralph Bunche Middle School learned that they were winners.
Think it Up is a nationwide project started by the Entertainment Industry Foundation. The goal is to encourage students and teachers to work together to make school more exciting.
Staples stores pledged $10 million to the program. Most of the money will go towards funding teacher-student projects.
Some 175 teachers in the Atlanta School System got the exciting news that their projects will be paid for by the program. Eight of those teachers are from Bunche Middle School.
Music teacher Iris Kelly was one of the teachers chosen.
“Now, our students can actually perform within the community. We ordered a portable PA system along with an 88 keyboard, so we can now take it and travel outside of our schools, so we’re excited for that,” she said.
English and Language Arts teacher Mrs. Scott was also chosen. She requested a video camera so everyone in her class can write an original film script.
APS became the first school system in the country to get funding from the Think it Up program.
The website DonorsChoose.org is also participating. They specialize in raising funds for public schools.
What a GREAT initiative!
WSBTV contributed to this report
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