Burglars Steal Kids' Opportunity
Tax deductible
Why the GoFundMe campaign?
On September 6, 2018 at Sutro Elementary School, after students, families, and teachers celebrated Back-to-School Night in the cafeteria, the school was burglarized (see KRON news story here: https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/burglar-steals-laptops-from-san-francisco-elementary-school/1426025223). Several laptops and iPads were stolen from the classrooms. Thieves also stole about $200 in coins from second grade classrooms, money that was brought by students to practice counting mixed coins.
Teachers, students, and staff at Sutro Elementary School have been distraught and anxious about this recent break-in. Losing these laptops and iPads at the start of the school year was especially difficult, since the school and Parent Teacher Association (PTA) had budgeted funds over the previous several years to purchase technology equipment to enhance our technology curriculum. As parents and PTA members considered how to help in regards to the lost items, we reached out to teachers to ask them what they believe to be high priority needs at Sutro. A few concerns came to the forefront as urgent needs for our school.
Hopes and goals for funding
At Sutro, a small Kindergarten through 5th grade school, approximately 65% of our students are from low-income families, and approximately 50% of our students are English language learners. We have organized this GoFundMe campaign as a one-time push to ask within and beyond our immediate community to try to help meet some specific and urgent needs where our school is lacking:
* Technology – Provide sufficient Chromebooks, iPads and technology learning programs for our students
* Safety - Improve the security of the Sutro campus and classrooms
* Recess – Create a safe and positive play environment for all children
Technology - First, we need to replace the 10 devices stolen from our school. The school District does not have insurance coverage for stolen laptops and iPads, and the District will not be replacing these items, to the detriment of the classrooms that use these devices. Second, we need to increase our total device count overall and purchase grade-appropriate computer programs so that each child has more time on a computer learning 21st century skills to prepare them for their futures.
Safety – After the recent break-in, the School District assessed the security needs at our school and determined we need security cameras and a security gate at the front gate of the school. However, that is not enough to meet the needs of our parent community who have expressed concern about the lack of a safe security system for the back gate, which opens to the playground. We want to enhance the back gate to allow students and parents to enter and exit as needed, but require other visitors to use the front gate where office staff can buzz them in. In addition, we want to provide teachers with security they need in their classrooms for items such as laptops and iPads, amongst other things.
Safe and Positive Play – Our children love to play and playtime is an important part of their physical, social and emotional wellbeing. At recess, every child should have the chance to participate in games that keep them happily active. Play also teaches children how to get along with others and to be creative and flexible. We have heard from Sutro teachers that recess time is often chaotic and that they need more help and resources on the playground. We will find ways to make recess a positive and safe part of the learning environment for our kids.
Estimate of Funding Needs
We are asking the community for the following funds to start us off as we move toward a better learning environment for our children. The Sutro PTA will also work to secure grant funding where possible and find ways to increase the annual budgets for these priority items moving forward.
Items Total Cost
Technology $15,000
Safety Systems $5,000
Recess Programs $5,000
Total: $25,000
You can help us achieve our goal by donating to this campaign for Sutro PTA. Our goal is to raise enough funds to provide a better and safer learning environment for our children. Your contribution is tax deductible (Tax ID #943078190). Every donor will receive recognition at our events, online, and in our printed materials. Thank you in advance!
About the Sutro Elementary PTA
Every year, through the generous donations from the parent community, the PTA funds the Outdoor Education science program, literacy support, classroom and principal expenses, and library and STEM programs. With the help of many parent volunteers, we also organize dozens of social, educational, and celebratory Sutro events that help build community for our children. We want our kids to be healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged.
On September 6, 2018 at Sutro Elementary School, after students, families, and teachers celebrated Back-to-School Night in the cafeteria, the school was burglarized (see KRON news story here: https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/burglar-steals-laptops-from-san-francisco-elementary-school/1426025223). Several laptops and iPads were stolen from the classrooms. Thieves also stole about $200 in coins from second grade classrooms, money that was brought by students to practice counting mixed coins.
Teachers, students, and staff at Sutro Elementary School have been distraught and anxious about this recent break-in. Losing these laptops and iPads at the start of the school year was especially difficult, since the school and Parent Teacher Association (PTA) had budgeted funds over the previous several years to purchase technology equipment to enhance our technology curriculum. As parents and PTA members considered how to help in regards to the lost items, we reached out to teachers to ask them what they believe to be high priority needs at Sutro. A few concerns came to the forefront as urgent needs for our school.
Hopes and goals for funding
At Sutro, a small Kindergarten through 5th grade school, approximately 65% of our students are from low-income families, and approximately 50% of our students are English language learners. We have organized this GoFundMe campaign as a one-time push to ask within and beyond our immediate community to try to help meet some specific and urgent needs where our school is lacking:
* Technology – Provide sufficient Chromebooks, iPads and technology learning programs for our students
* Safety - Improve the security of the Sutro campus and classrooms
* Recess – Create a safe and positive play environment for all children
Technology - First, we need to replace the 10 devices stolen from our school. The school District does not have insurance coverage for stolen laptops and iPads, and the District will not be replacing these items, to the detriment of the classrooms that use these devices. Second, we need to increase our total device count overall and purchase grade-appropriate computer programs so that each child has more time on a computer learning 21st century skills to prepare them for their futures.
Safety – After the recent break-in, the School District assessed the security needs at our school and determined we need security cameras and a security gate at the front gate of the school. However, that is not enough to meet the needs of our parent community who have expressed concern about the lack of a safe security system for the back gate, which opens to the playground. We want to enhance the back gate to allow students and parents to enter and exit as needed, but require other visitors to use the front gate where office staff can buzz them in. In addition, we want to provide teachers with security they need in their classrooms for items such as laptops and iPads, amongst other things.
Safe and Positive Play – Our children love to play and playtime is an important part of their physical, social and emotional wellbeing. At recess, every child should have the chance to participate in games that keep them happily active. Play also teaches children how to get along with others and to be creative and flexible. We have heard from Sutro teachers that recess time is often chaotic and that they need more help and resources on the playground. We will find ways to make recess a positive and safe part of the learning environment for our kids.
Estimate of Funding Needs
We are asking the community for the following funds to start us off as we move toward a better learning environment for our children. The Sutro PTA will also work to secure grant funding where possible and find ways to increase the annual budgets for these priority items moving forward.
Items Total Cost
Technology $15,000
Safety Systems $5,000
Recess Programs $5,000
Total: $25,000
You can help us achieve our goal by donating to this campaign for Sutro PTA. Our goal is to raise enough funds to provide a better and safer learning environment for our children. Your contribution is tax deductible (Tax ID #943078190). Every donor will receive recognition at our events, online, and in our printed materials. Thank you in advance!
About the Sutro Elementary PTA
Every year, through the generous donations from the parent community, the PTA funds the Outdoor Education science program, literacy support, classroom and principal expenses, and library and STEM programs. With the help of many parent volunteers, we also organize dozens of social, educational, and celebratory Sutro events that help build community for our children. We want our kids to be healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged.
Co-organizers (2)
Sutro Elementary Parent Teacher Association
Organizer
San Francisco, CA
Sutro Elementary School
Beneficiary
Irene Fung
Co-organizer