Janelle Dunsworth remembers eating lunch at a neighborhood restaurant with Trish Willingham and Jan Worrall on that fateful day last December, the day the school’s struggling science department got its first giant jolt of support.
Over the years, the science department had felt the strain of an evaporating district budget, and the students and teachers were paying the price. Teachers were frustrated by the lack of attention the department was receiving. And students, who were attempting to perform experiments with outdated equipment, were unknowingly being cheated.
The school was collecting Minyard receipts to raise money for new computers for the science department, but something more needed to be done.
As the ladies conversed, the subject of Woodrow naturally came up. Both Dunsworth and Willingham had children enrolled in Woodrow, and Worrall had an eighth grader at J.L. Long Middle School, a Woodrow feeder school. However, the subject at hand was not what numbers the choir would be performing that night at its annual Christmas concert, but the unfortunate state of the science department.
“I remember Ms. (Tonya) Tovar (a Woodrow science teacher) making a plea to us at the first SCE (school centered education) meeting of the (96-97) school year, aking what could be done to update the science equipment,” Dunsworth says.
Evidently inspired by the Christmas season, Dunsworth says the idea popped into her head to concoct an angel tree with science department needs written on cut-out candy cane and star ornaments. Willingham and Worrall supported the idea.
“After lunch we went to (science teacher) Ms. (Tonya) Tovar and (Renee) McKnight (the science dept. head) and asked them to make out a wish list,” says Dunsworth.
The teachers gladly responded. By the time 6 p.m. rolled around, the tree was completed and set up in the lobby for all to view before the Christmas concert. The stars and candy canes had things like “microscope” and “beaker” written on them.
“We had a pretty good response,” says Dunsworth. “We raised a couple thousand dollars.”
The Angel Tree merely jump-started a giant undertaking that was beginning to hatch. One month later, The Advocate came out with a major story on the science department, bringing the situation to the forefront of the neighborhood’s conscience.
After reading the account, several J.L. Long Middle School parents, who’s children would soon be attending Woodrow, became concerned and joined ranks with Dunsworth and her assemblage of Woodrow parents to strive for continued improvements.
“The Advocate article was a wake up call,” says parent Marian Richmond, who’s daughter is now a freshman at Woodrow.
“We (a group of J.L. Long parents) met with Janelle, some other parents and (then-principal) Eduardo Torres to see what more could be done.”
Nancy Montgomery was another concerned J.L. Long parent determined to take up the fight.
“Woodrow has a long history of excellent students, excellent faculty and excellent community support,” says Montgomery, a Woodrow alumna.
“We (parents) wanted to do what we could do. We all understand the benefit if a good public school whether we us it or not.
“There was really a feeling of doing it for all the children, not just our’s or our neighbor’s.”
Dunsworth says the infusion of support from the Long parents, in addition to the collective effort of the Woodrow faculty, students and community gave the project a tremendous lift.
A mailing list of Woodrow alumni and potential community supporters was compiled and a massive fundraising campaign begun.
“Marian was the driving force,” says Dunsworth. “She just wouldn’t say ‘no.’
“It was just a lot of teamwork.”
One-by-one the donations began to roll in. The Park Cities Rotary Club presented the science department with $3,000. Woodrow alumnus Trammell Crow responded with a hand-written letter of support and a generous donation. The Lakewood Service League donated $2,600 for new computers.
By September, the science department had received an eye-popping $17,127 and celebrated with a science lab open-house presented by the teachers.
“I was amazed at how much money they were able to raise in such a short period of time,” says McKnight.
“It’s hard to explain what all they’ve done. It was very encouraging to see that kind of support from the community.”
Although the department still needs more assistance to reach its desired level of improvement, Dunsworth says donations continue to come in daily.
“I think it’s remarkable how this community always comes through,” says Dunsworth.
“I’m glad that people are standing behind Woodrow even though it’s one of those inner-city schools that other people are fleeing from.
“You’ve got to do whatever you can to give as many people an opportunity to succeed as possible.”
Says Richmond: “We’re definitely on the upswing and it’ll probably improve every year.
“I don’t think we’re out of the woods particularly, but the kids are getting a good education.”
In wake of all the turmoil at recent school board meetings and overall state of unrest in our public school system, the parents and teachers at Woodrow Wilson refused to submit to any chokehold aimed at squeezing the life out of the task at hand: the improved education of our children. The example of educational rescue at the grassroots level has been set by the people who worked to save Woodrow. The same can be done elsewhere. The Advocate contacted every public school in the neighborhood and asked them to assess their needs and inform us how the community might assist in addressing those needs. Nearly every school responded. We’ve seen the progress made at Woodrow, now here’s our chance to help other schools improve the quality of their education.
HIGH SCHOOLS
Bryan Adams High School
Principal – Karen Ramos
2101 Millmar (75228)
214-319-0140
Bryan Adams uses the Tom Thumb Reward Card system as its senior class fundraiser. Their reward card number is 1860.
Volunteer Opportunities (contact):
Internet, (Dr. Beyer)
Foreign Language Tutors, (Gracie Lopez)
Motivational speaking for athletes, (Mike Long)
Donations (contact):
Computer hardware and software, (Dr. Beyer)
Band instruments or monetary donations for new instruments, (Mike Harris)
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
J.L. Long Middle School
Principal- Kevin Stull
6116 Reiger (75214)
214-841-5270
Long is part of the “Take Charge of Education” program sponsored by Target. When using your Target Guest Card, designate J.L. Long as your school of choice and 1% of the proceeds from your purchase will go to J.L. Long.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Tutors in various subjects, (Eugenia Roberts)
Mentors, (Dr. Placida McDonald)
Donations:
Money for science lab equipment and contest entry fees, (Paul Daniel)
Math contest entry fees and supplemental textbooks, (Sharon Morgan)
Off level reading materials, (Connie Gillett)
Social Studies contest entry fees, old MAPSCOs and large wall maps, (Georginna Johnson)
Elective Dept., (Beverly Hirsch)
Language Arts Dept., (Anita Johnson)
Alex W. Spence Middle School and Academy
Principal – Tracie Fraley
4001 Capitol (75204)
214-841-5200
Spence is not part of a reward card or receipt collecting system.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Mentors, (Jennifer Parvin)
Tutors in all subjects, (Jennifer Parvin)
Donations:
Monetary donations for the Technology Department, (Tracie Fraley)
General: books, school supplies, clothing, science equipment, computers and athletic equipment, (Tracie Fraley).
ELEMENTARY
Mt. Auburn Elementary
Principal – Olga McAdams
6012 E. Grand Ave. (75223)
214-841-5170
Mt. Auburn is not part of a reward card or receipt collecting system.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Reading and Math tutors, (Vonda Hayes)
Mentors, (Vonda Hayes)
Donations:
All departments are in need of monetary and other donations including books, school supplies, clothing, science equipment, computers and athletic equipment. (Vonda Hayes)
John F. Kennedy Learning Center
Principal – Carolina Leon
1802 Moser (75206)
214-824-8003
JFK is not part of a reward card or receipt collecting program.
Volunteer Opportunities:
After school pgm., clinic, enrichment programs; reading to students; Saturday school, Loaotian, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Somalian translators; reading, math, ESL tutors; mentors; coaches & club sponsors; maricahi, guitar, band, drama, art & choir. (Carolina Leon)
Donations:
Funding for buses, playground equip., field trips, summer camp, sports registration for YMCA programs.
Other donations include books/magazines, clothing, macintosh software, school supplies, chess sets, sports equip. (shoes, balls, gloves)
Ignacio Zaragoza Elementary
Principal – Evangelina Kircher
4550 Worth (75246)
214-841-5260
Zaragoza collects Minyard receipts. Turn them in to the school office.
Volunteer Opportunities:
African-American mentors for K-6 (Evangelina Kircher)
Reading and math tutors (V. Watson)
Donations:
Monetary donations are needed in the following areas: Folklorico and field trips (DJ Guerra), Reading Is Fundamental and new encyclopedias (V. Watson), Playground equipment (A. Solares), Reading incentives (L. Taheri), Spanish & Asian literature (M. Rasmussen).
Other donations include: coats & shoes, underpants and size 5,6.7 pants, 12 microscopes (DJ Guerra); portable keyboards for home practice (Toby Williams); cheerleader uniforms (L. Strawthers); Macintosh 5200 and laser printers/stylewriters (Evangelina Kircher).
Lakewood Elementary
Principal- Martha Lochner
3000 Hillbrook (75214)
214-841-5250
Lakewood is collecting Minyard receipts as part of the Computers for Kids and More Program. Receipts can be deposited in a box outside the office at the school or mailed to the school. Lakewood is also participating in the Tom Thumb Reward Card program. At press time, the number was not yet assigned but the store should have it when you check-out. Any AT&T customer can help Lakewood earn “free technology” through the AT&T Learning Points program. The school’s i.d. # is 01349355. Contact AT&T about the program. Lakewood is also collecting box tops from General Mills cereals. Just clip the box top and bring it in to the school or mail it.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Tutors, (Shelia Simpson: 821-2018)
Mentors, (Marian Hammert)
Donations:
Band instruments, (Marian Hammert)
Monetary donations can be made through the Lakewood PTA, Early Childhood PTA or Friends of Lakewood. Most monetary donations will be used for internet wiring unless otherwise specified by the donor.
Victor H. Hexter Elementary
Principal- Georgann Kelley
9720 Waterview (75218)
214-319-0220
Hexter collects Minyard receipts. Parent Tammie Busby collects them weekly. Contact her through the school.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Mentors, (Principal Georgann Kelley)
Tutors, (Georgann Kelley)
Donations:
Monetary donations are needed for all departments.
Other donations include: enrichment and novel books for K-3 classes; upgraded computers & printers for the classroom; plants and bushes for the outside appearance of the school. Donations contact is Georgann Kelley.
William Lipscomb Elementary
Principal – Santiago Camacho
5801 Worth (75214)
214-841-5150
Lipscomb does not participate in any reward card or receipt collecting program.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Mentors, (Principal Santiago Camacho)
Tutors for second grade reading, (Santiago Camacho)
Donations:
Monetary donations for Pre-K program, (S. Camacho)
Athletic equipment and jackets, (Camacho)
Stonewall Jackson Elementary
Principal- Olivia Henderson
5828 E. Mockingbird (75206)
214-841-5155
Stonewall is currently collecting Minyard receipts. Lori Colwill is the contact person. You can reach her through the school office.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Mentors to work in Wildscape Garden with students, (Principal Olivia Henderson)
Math and science tutors, (Marge Carlson or Zulema Ortiz)
Donations:
Monetary donations for the following: TDD phones for the Deaf Education department; manipulatives to integrate science and math; student incentives to promote good citizenship and perfect attendance; establishment of herb garden, butterfly garden and native plant garden.
Other donations include: library books, school supplies, clothing, science equipment (Foss Kits), computers, soccer nets, baseball equipment, chess and checker boards (after school program).
Robert E. Lee Elementary
Principal- Yolanda Gonzalez
2911 Delmar (75206)
214-841-5240
Lee collects Minyard receipts through the school PTA. Deadline for turning them in is December 18.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Mentors, (Santos Cortez)
Math, reading, library, art, English as a second language tutors, (Santos Cortez)
Volunteers are also needed for the following: Crossing guards, office help, field day, awards assemblies, special events.
Donations:
The science class and the sixth grade class are in need of monetary donations. Contact Santos Cortez.
Other donations include: Eight basketballs, eight soccer balls, 20 jump ropes, bench style seats for outdoors, mature trees for landscaping, Hewlett Packard 41A ink jet print cartridges, computer memory upgrades, computer disks, colored paper, spiral notebooks, No. 2 pencils, construction paper, under clothes for boys & girls size 5 thru 10, gloves, jackets, winter hats, sweat pants size small & medium, filac probe covers for electronic thermometers, book shelves, science fair display boards, index cards, colored folders, hanging files, straws, zip lock bags, old tires for school garden, empty plastic coke bottles (2& 3 liter), chess boards, 25 clip boards, Christmas trees and decorations. Contact Principal Yolanda Gonzalez or Santos Cortez.
