The Class of 2020 has much to celebrate as they transition into the next phase of their educational journey. Whether high school, college, or trade school is in their future we know it will be another opportunity for these students to make an impact not only within their families and communities, but also the world.
This transition will mean many unknowns for graduates, new neighborhoods, teachers, and even friends. We have learned one thing for certain in these past few months. We are certain that this group of graduates is ready to tackle the unknowns and will continue to reach their milestones
Even though there were no traditional ceremonies, group photos, or hugs good-bye. School administration, staff, and family members stepped in to celebrate this special milestone. There were car parades and virtual ceremonies, even a special video message from Mrs. Deloris Jordan, JRJF Founder and President. She reminds students that hard work and dedication are the strongest tools they can carry.
The celebration continues! Thirty-eight members of the 8th grade graduating class are eligible to continue earning A-Team scholarship funds during their High School career. There are also 90 A-Team Scholars graduating from high school who are now eligible to withdraw their funds and apply them to tuition costs. Many A-Team Scholars started earning scholarship funds since the 4th grade.
Even though there were no traditional ceremonies, group photos, or hugs good-bye. School administration, staff, and family members stepped in to celebrate this special milestone. There were car parades and virtual ceremonies, even a special video message from Mrs. Deloris Jordan, JRJF Founder and President. She reminds students that hard work and dedication are the strongest tools they can carry.
The celebration continues! Thirty-eight members of the 8th grade graduating class are eligible to continue earning A-Team scholarship funds during their High School career. There are also 90 A-Team Scholars graduating from high school who are now eligible to withdraw their funds and apply them to tuition costs. Many A-Team Scholars started earning scholarship funds since the 4th grade.
 | Pictured Left: Sa'Niya Sa’Niya is the 2020 Valedictorian for R. Nathaniel Dett Elementary. She is passionate about being successful. Sa'Niya's goal is to graduate from college, and when she grows up she wants to be an entrepreneur, a teacher, or even both. To help her reach her goal Sa'Niya can continue to earn scholarship funds through the A-Team scholars fund, through grades and 95% attendance. Her best memory from A-Team Scholars is when Officer Michele Millison came to Dett and had the students participate in conflict resolution scenarios. |
| Pictured Right: Requiyah William H. Brown named Requiyah Salutatorian of the Class of 2020. Requiyah is also an A-Team scholar and will continue to earn scholarship funds through the James R. Jordan Foundation. She plans on attending UIC-College Prep her freshman year. Her years at Brown gave her an appreciation for the care the school provides for each student's education. Requiyah's favorite A-Team memories include, coming together with classmates to discuss life beyond elementary school and recognizing everyone's acheivements and the Quarterly Celebration. At each Quarterly Celebration she received a certificate for that quarter's scholarship earnings along with her fellow classmates. Her most important lesson came from presentor Akari and his "Ballin' on a Budget" Activity. |  "I learned that you really have to pay attention when it comes to what you want versus what you need when spending your money." - Requiyah |
 | Pictured Left: Dayo Dayo is a graduate from Sherman School of Excellence. He plans on attending King College Prep in the Fall. He appreciates his teachers from Sherman and all of his fellow classmates. Dayo is an A-Team Scholar who will continue earning scholarship funds throughout his high school career. Dayo shared with us that the A-Team Scholars program taught him "teamwork" and it is a skill he will continue to use in his educational journey. |
Special Announcement: Board Chair debi Ross
The James R. Jordan Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce the selection of debi Ross as Board Chair. debi's passion for programs and causes that benefit children made her an ideal candidate for the position. Whether creating programs to feed and clothe, provide educational resources, expand early childhood learning or supplemental supper programs, children have always been at the forefront of debi's call to service.
In 1997 debi formed Inside Looks as a residential, commercial, education and healthcare design firm providing decorating and remodeling services to clients in the Chicagoland Metropolitan area, Northwest Indiana, Southwest Michigan, Southeast Wisconsin, Florida and Arizona. Inside Looks has been nominated as a Top Ten Design Firm with Chicago Design Team and has been awarded for “service” by HOUZZ.
Her leadership experience includes a recent one-year term as District Governor for Rotary International District 6450. In 2017 debi was President of the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce serving 550 enterprises in and around the Orland Park area.
In 1997 debi formed Inside Looks as a residential, commercial, education and healthcare design firm providing decorating and remodeling services to clients in the Chicagoland Metropolitan area, Northwest Indiana, Southwest Michigan, Southeast Wisconsin, Florida and Arizona. Inside Looks has been nominated as a Top Ten Design Firm with Chicago Design Team and has been awarded for “service” by HOUZZ.
Her leadership experience includes a recent one-year term as District Governor for Rotary International District 6450. In 2017 debi was President of the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce serving 550 enterprises in and around the Orland Park area.
"I am so very excited to assume the role of Board Chair of our Foundation. What an honor it is to follow in the footsteps of those that came before me and to work among such committed professionals to improve the lot of the children and families we serve. Together we will grow and nurture our Foundation as we face the challenges ahead." - debi Ross
The James R. Jordan Foundation Board of Directors welcomes debi and looks forward to the great work ahead.
Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead
| This year’s S.T.E.A.M. Summer Session (July 27 – July 31) took place virtually. With the support of three content experts, Dr. Michael Horn (Associate Professor) and Izaiah (Graduate Student) from Northwestern University and Grace (Program Coordinator) from IBM, 17 students from our partner school were able to participate in this exciting opportunity. On Monday and Tuesday, the students learned about how they can combine creativity and coding, and were given time to create their own projects – either music or art. On Wednesday and Thursday, the students used the engineering design process to design alarm clocks and talked about fears and hopes they have for the future. They used their fears and hopes to create their own Empathy Map for their future career goals. On Friday, students played a S.T.E.A.M. themed Jeopardy with Program Team and received their completion certificates via email. |  |
Pictured Above: A screenshot of the Empathy Mapping process for students lead by Grace.
It was a great opportunity to see students committed to learning!