Dalton’s 9th Grade Bio Class Raises Funds For Clean Water Well for South Sudan School

For this project, the students were instructed to develop a brief written proposal about their fundraising idea, get approval, execute their plan, and finally, submit a reflection about their experience and suggestions for next year’s 9th grade class.  Students brainstormed together and decided that having a bake sale would be the most efficient way of meeting their goal within the short time frame.  They coordinated the baked goods each person was responsible for bringing and made a schedule of the shifts for selling. 

 

On the day of the bake sale, two long tables were full of beautifully decorated cupcakes, homemade cookies, donuts, and even ice cream that the students donated to help support their fundraising efforts.   With a little under two hours into their bake sale and with most items already sold out, they had nearly reached their goal.  A last minute donation the next day ensured that students reached a little over their goal, a total of $521!

 

Katia Lawson reflected, “Having a service learning project rather than a test was a great idea; I am a strong believer in learning through community service as I feel it puts our knowledge to good use.”   Treasure Welle commented, “We never really get the opportunity, within a classroom setting, to raise money for such a great cause….A lot of people do not understand how privileged they are to not have to worry about something as simple as clean water.”  Jake Ehrenkranz, saw the realities of the water crisis up close as he reflected on a trip, “In my recent trip to Somaliland, a country located in the Horn of Africa, I saw a water well.  Even the water coming out of this ‘natural spring’ had to be filtered very intensely, by donated American technology. Without this generous donation, thousands of rural villagers would be without one of the essential materials for survival: water.” 

 

Ms. Reid added, "I am proud of what my students accomplished in reaching their fundraising goal for sure, but I’m perhaps most proud, that my students are finishing their first year of Biology understanding that collectively they can be positive agents of change for biologically relevant social justice issues.   I have no doubt that this project will be expanded to impact an even greater number of people next year.   Thanks to all who supported the fundraiser, and also to our science department chair, Lisa Brizzolara for her support of this initiative!"

The following students from the class of 2020 organized the fundraising event:

Zion Billey

Toni DaCosta

Ravi Eaton

Rebecca Edelman

Jacob Ehrenkranz

Kai Hansen

Deen Hussain

Luna Jubak

Joshua Kaufman

Lauren Kim

James Kuntz

Katia Lawson

Marshall Miller

Matthew Murstein

Treasure Welle