We kick off the HSA’s Support Our School campaign this week! We are excited about this opportunity for our community to come together in making a financial commitment, of any amount, to support Murch through the HSA’s activities. Be on the lookout for updates, including various monthly prizes you can win by simply making a donation!
In the meantime, please read this letter about the SOS Campaign and the HSA’s plans for all of the money it raises.
August 23, 2021
Dear Murch Community,
For those of you who are new to our community, welcome to Murch. For those of you who have been a part of our community in prior school years, welcome back. We are excited about what lies before us in the 2021-2022 school year and anticipate a prominent role for the HSA in support of the school community, students, staff, and teachers. To make the HSA’s work possible, we need help from all members of our community through the Support Our School Campaign, or the SOS Campaign.
The SOS Campaign is the primary way that the HSA raises the funds it needs to do its work. This year’s budget requires the SOS to raise $77,000. While the HSA usually recommends a donation of $500 per student to meet our financial goals, the SOS Campaign is most focused on increasing participation. It would feel like a real success if 100% of our families contributed an amount that is comfortable and doable for them, even if it is $10. All donations are voluntary and tax-deductible. We hope we can count on your support this year!
The HSA budgets for the upcoming school year and for prior school years are available on the website at https://murchschool.org/hsa/
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Supporting students: Funding tutoring services for Murch students identified as at risk to help ensure their success with virtual learning; purchasing technology needed for students to learn at home
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Supporting families: Providing gift cards and scholarships to Murch families in need; assisting the Mental Health team with programming geared towards parents and caregivers
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Supporting teachers: Providing grants and stipends to teachers for classroom supplies; organizing teacher-only events to boost morale
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Supporting the Equity and Inclusion Initiative at Murch: Funding consulting services to develop approaches to close the racial achievement gap at Murch
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Supporting the Murch Community: Organizing school-wide events, including the Virtual Murch Musical, End-of-Year Party, and Murch Talent Show
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Supporting the Broader DC Community: Organizing a canned food drive in support of the Capital Area Food Bank; donating financial support to both an education-focused organization working in Southeast DC and the DC Food Project
The HSA plans to use this year’s SOS funds to help students, families, and teachers successfully transition from the last year of hybrid and virtual learning into a new school year with its own set of challenges. Through the SOS, the HSA plans to focus its spending on these main efforts:
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Supporting students: Funding needed technology purchases, field trips, after-school activities, and scholarships
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Supporting teachers: Providing classroom items through the teacher grant program; supporting teacher well-being through teacher appreciation events
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Supporting families: Organizing programming of interest to parents and caregivers; donating school supplies and other items to students in need
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Supporting the school administration: Providing janitorial and office supplies to free up DCPS budget funds for instructional use; administering a discretionary Principal’s Fund for unexpected expenses
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Supporting the Equity and Inclusion Initiative at Murch
Can you join us in supporting our school?
Please donate online at https://murchschool.org/hsa/
With our sincere appreciation,
Jennifer Bonnette & Jonathan Reff, Murch HSA Co-Presidents
Chris Cebrzynski, Murch Principal
Amy Turner & Dorina Bekoe, SOS Co-Chairs