Tuition for Grace to stay at SVA

On November 17th, I took Grace out of school for the day so we could go to Louisville, KY for Malcolm's final immigration interview. I have known him for over 17 years. It’s been a long road to getting to that point and we were all very excited. The following Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, he received his green card finally. What I thought was going to be a great thing for our family has turned into a nightmare. He went to work the following morning and at midnight that night, I got an email saying he was done and had left Grace and I. He worked odd jobs as a handyman and was the main support for our family since I went on disability. The following Monday, I received a letter summoning me to court because he had not paid the rent for the past 2 months despite telling me that he had. On November 30th, I went to court and was told I had 7 days to get out of our 4 bdrm house and find another place to live. I was and still am absolutely in shock. Grace, heartbroken over losing the only father she’s ever known, was now losing her home. She missed a few days because she was so upset she was throwing up. It took 6 days to find housing that I could afford on my disability income. That apartment is located in Highland Heights, KY. There just was nothing immediately available in the SVA school district that I could afford on my own. Grace lost not only her stepfather and her home, we had to leave most of our things behind, including a lot of her toys and clothes because we just didn’t have the time to get everything. Right now our life’s possessions that we could take, are divided between a storage unit and what will eventually be her bedroom in our apartment. At this time, she doesn’t even have a bed and is sleeping in my room. There will be no Christmas this year and no extras that I can do for her.
She has been so sad and depressed. School and the support she is receiving from her peers and teachers are what is keeping her together. She loves it at SVA. All of her teachers have told me that she is a sweet kid and a great student. I don’t want to move her from SVA, especially, not mid year. It is just too much change and I am afraid it would break her. I was given the out of district form to fill out and told it was a $500. Fee. To be totally honest, I have about $40 to my name and am using that on gas to get her back and forth to school and for whatever groceries we can afford. I am asking for $600 because she has no winter clothes that fit her either.
The children really are the center of all and are cared about so much by staff and teachers. I love that she is learning about respect, leadership, kindness and self confidence along with the academics. I have asked my family to help but they have contributed a few thousand, especially my Father, who dropped everything and come out to help get us moved and can do no more. Without him, Grandma Mary & the love, prayers and support of Grandma, Poppy, our family & friends, we wouldn't even have a roof over our head right now.
I know it's a tough time of year for everyone. I never, in a million years, thought I would find myself in this position. I have prayed and I know Summit View Academy is the right place for her. Please help me keep her there.
Thank you for your time & consideration for Grace.


www.kenton.k12.ky.us/2