Read highlights from the James R. Jordan Foundation's March 2021 Newsletter!
“On behalf of Sherman School of Excellence students, I would like to express my sincerest thank you for the donation of school supplies that arrived on March 12th,” said Sherman Principal Dr. Roberts in a letter addressing the recent donation.
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The James R. Jordan Foundation would like to thank Emily Yoo and Jordan Veome for their fundraising support to make this donation possible. Their generous donations were used to provide students with essential school supplies to help them prepare for class as they return into the building. Over a year has passed since the COVID-19 pandemic hit America, forcing teachers and students nationwide to quickly transition to remote learning. Recently, students and teachers across the Chicagoland area are slowly but surely making their way back into the classroom. With support from our amazing network of donors, the James R. Jordan Foundation will continue to provide students with supplies and programs they need to ensure they get the education they deserve.
“Words cannot begin to express our students’ gratitude towards your generosity,” said Dr. Roberts.
Help us provide for even more students and teachers by donating today!
“Words cannot begin to express our students’ gratitude towards your generosity,” said Dr. Roberts.
Help us provide for even more students and teachers by donating today!
Beyond the Classroom Highlights
Read with Me! Day with PNC Bank
On March 26th, the James R. Jordan Foundation partnered with PNC Bank to host a virtual Read with Me! Day for William H. Brown students.
During the event, 6 PNC volunteers read various books to over 60 students from Pre-K to 3rd Grade. The Read with Me! Day event was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and with the help of Google Meets, we were able to connect students both in school and at home with our volunteers. Reading from a selection of Dr. Seuss books, the volunteers enjoyed connecting with students and helping them become more confident and effective readers.
Check out some screenshots from the virtual event below!
During the event, 6 PNC volunteers read various books to over 60 students from Pre-K to 3rd Grade. The Read with Me! Day event was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and with the help of Google Meets, we were able to connect students both in school and at home with our volunteers. Reading from a selection of Dr. Seuss books, the volunteers enjoyed connecting with students and helping them become more confident and effective readers.
Check out some screenshots from the virtual event below!
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Coded Beats Club with Northwestern University
In early February, the James R. Jordan Foundation partnered with Northwestern University to create a S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Mathematics) after school coding program called Coded Beats Club.
During Coded Beats Club, students learn how to code and create their own music using TunePad. As a S.T.E.A.M. initiative, students gain valuable computer programming skills and get the chance to be creative in the process. The club meets weekly after school on Wednesdays, and has seen over 40 students attend the program.
Click below to watch a short recap video of a recent Coded Beats Club session!
During Coded Beats Club, students learn how to code and create their own music using TunePad. As a S.T.E.A.M. initiative, students gain valuable computer programming skills and get the chance to be creative in the process. The club meets weekly after school on Wednesdays, and has seen over 40 students attend the program.
Click below to watch a short recap video of a recent Coded Beats Club session!
Home Gardening Workshop with Home Depot
On March 25th, the James R. Jordan Foundation partnered with Home Depot to host a virtual family-engagement workshop through the Visions for Families program.
We would like to thank Home Depot for their continued support. Not only did they provide the materials for the recent Visions for Families workshop, but they've also hosted monthly raffles to to encourage increased participation from our families.
Home Depot hosted their recent virtual home gardening workshops for all 4 of JRJF's partner schools. Parents, teachers, and students from William H. Brown STEM Magnet School, R. Nathaniel Dett Elementary School, Sherman School of Excellence, and Jordan Community Elementary School attended the event. During the workshop, Home Depot volunteers taught families how to plant and grow seeds all within the comfort of their home. The event brought in 112 attendees it total between the four schools.
Check out some screenshots from the virtual event below!
We would like to thank Home Depot for their continued support. Not only did they provide the materials for the recent Visions for Families workshop, but they've also hosted monthly raffles to to encourage increased participation from our families.
Home Depot hosted their recent virtual home gardening workshops for all 4 of JRJF's partner schools. Parents, teachers, and students from William H. Brown STEM Magnet School, R. Nathaniel Dett Elementary School, Sherman School of Excellence, and Jordan Community Elementary School attended the event. During the workshop, Home Depot volunteers taught families how to plant and grow seeds all within the comfort of their home. The event brought in 112 attendees it total between the four schools.
Check out some screenshots from the virtual event below!
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A Year of Remote Learning
Last month marked one year since COVID-19 made its way to America and forced schools across the country to transition to remote learning. The Foundation's impact and commitment to providing students and families a pathway out of poverty is as strong as ever despite these trying times. Here's what some our partner school's principals had to say about the transition to remote learning:
"Our 8th graders and our Read with Me! students all received iPads (that they could keep) to assist us with leveling the digital divide that exists in low income households all across the district. That was a HUGE burden lifted! Many of our families did not have any technological equipment outside of a cellular device to access the remote learning."
- Principal Latoya Lyons, William H. Brown STEM Magnet School
"The James R. Jordan Foundation was able to provide iPads and virtual Vision for Families workshops for our 8th grade scholars and families during our transition to remote learning, ensuring that the graduating class would stay connected and continue to prepare for high school."
- Principal Dr. Regina Roberts, Sherman School of Excellence
"The James R. Jordan Foundation continues advocating for our most vulnerable students by providing the support that is much needed, particularly during the challenging time we are still facing. The S.T.E.A.M. program includes virtual pop-up sessions where our students have been academically developed on important and current topics such as Finance, Home Depot Goal Post Projects, Medical Field Career, etc."
- Principal Gilberto Piedrahita, Jordan Community Public School
"Our 8th graders and our Read with Me! students all received iPads (that they could keep) to assist us with leveling the digital divide that exists in low income households all across the district. That was a HUGE burden lifted! Many of our families did not have any technological equipment outside of a cellular device to access the remote learning."
- Principal Latoya Lyons, William H. Brown STEM Magnet School
"The James R. Jordan Foundation was able to provide iPads and virtual Vision for Families workshops for our 8th grade scholars and families during our transition to remote learning, ensuring that the graduating class would stay connected and continue to prepare for high school."
- Principal Dr. Regina Roberts, Sherman School of Excellence
"The James R. Jordan Foundation continues advocating for our most vulnerable students by providing the support that is much needed, particularly during the challenging time we are still facing. The S.T.E.A.M. program includes virtual pop-up sessions where our students have been academically developed on important and current topics such as Finance, Home Depot Goal Post Projects, Medical Field Career, etc."
- Principal Gilberto Piedrahita, Jordan Community Public School