I’m reaching out on behalf of Ready Springs Elementary, my students and our community to solicit any financial support you can offer as we seek to improve youth physical, emotional and mental health through the simple act of participation in skateboarding at school.

 

Skateboarding is at a crossroads worldwide, as it is transforming from a delinquent activity into an olympic sport. Skating is a physical manifestation of so many skills we are trying to foster in students: perseverance, determination, problem solving are just a few. It is a lifelong physics experiment, an overflowing source for creativity, and a well for analysis and subsequent design of solutions. An unprecedented number of girls are gravitating to skating right now, with 4 out of 6 Olympic medalists in women’s skating being ages 12 and 13.

 

Embracing skateboarding and connecting it to school can only lead to greater outcomes behaviorally and academically. That’s why we're starting a skateboarding elective on our K-8 campus in Penn Valley, California. Our school, Ready Springs Elementary, is a Title 1 school that services 331 students, 58.6% of whom are socioeconomically disadvantaged. Moreover, there is a lack of skateable pavement in our school’s community. Rough roads, missing sidewalks, and gravel driveways all reduce the opportunity for our students to skate consistently and safely. These conditions underscore the importance of facilitating and hosting skateboarding at school.

 

If you are able and willing to donate toward supplies to help support the Ready Springs Skate Initiative, please do. We are looking to generate a fleet of boards and collection of protective equipment (helmets and pads) for a group of 24 students. There will be students wanting to participate who will not have the financial resources to acquire necessities to build a board. Your contribution will be funneled through the local boardshop, Goodtimes, to provide boards, trucks, wheels, bearings, grip, helmets and pads. That means that there is no donation too small to make a difference. The goal set is targeting about 24 boards and sets of protective gear. We are hoping to get the elective off the ground for the winter trimester, beginning November 22nd. Your contribution is tax deductible and our institution’s tax ID is  46-5048374.

 

Thanks for taking the time to support our students. We appreciate it.

 

Cameron Cox

7th and 8th Science

Ready Springs Elementary