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                                         60th Reunion Grant for Teachers Report

                                                                                                                                          (submitted by Arnold Miller)

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There is good news to report. Because of your generosity, we have raised over $ 8,000. and will be able to continue the Grant for Teachers Project at least until we meet again---and we are going to meet again.

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For about the cost of a modestly priced new car, we now have funded over 25 separate grants. There have been over 40 teachers who have been recipients of these grants, and they have touched hundreds of students at Allderdice. I know of no other gift by an Allderdice Class, and I am not aware of any grant project exactly like this one in this area. It is unique, and it works.

 

Just about every area of the school has benefited. We provided:

 

Scientific instruments for the Chemistry lab

 

Musical instruments not otherwise available to the school

 

Funded a student-run publication called Dragonbreath

 

Help students create adaptive devises to be used by special needs students

 

Established a writing workshop so that students can get help in applying for scholarships

 

Perhaps my favorite project is one where jewelry students are paired with a cancer survivor. In consultation with the cancer survivor each student has made a special piece of jewelry for this individual. I happen to know one of these survivors. I can not tell you how meaningful this piece of jewelry is to this individual---and how meaningful the experience is for the student.

 

It is a little early for a “High Holiday Appeal.” However, I am sure there are some of you who still would like to make a contribution. Please see our very able treasurer, Jay Fingeret. Jay please stand up---or any of your other class mates who have so ably served on the committee over seeing these grants.

 

Mitzi Josephs Levine

Steffi Silberman Snyder

Anne Teplitz Watzman

Errol Miller

 

What I like most about this project is that it is solely teacher based. The ideas for these grants come from what the teacher's feel they most need for their class room. They do not need approval from the Board. They do not need approval from the principal. They do not need approval from the Department Chairman. They fill out a simple application which is reviewed by our committee and acted on expeditiously.

 

I want to share with you two short notes I received about these grants from Dr. McCoy, the principal of TAHS, and Trish Withers, our coordinating teacher.

 

(Read Notes-See below)

 

So again, I want to emphasize your donation has made an important difference. Give early.

Give often.

 

Before turning the podium, back over the Errol, I think all of us should thank him for the effort he has put forward in keeping our committee together and making sure this event happens. Let's give him a round of appreciation of our support.

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FROM: Dr. James McCoy

DATE: June 24, 2019


 

Arnold,

 

Let me know if you would like me to amend this in any way. Thanks so much for everything!!

 

We have a committed group of educators here at Taylor Allderdice that are always looking for ways to better the educational experience of our students. However, in public education here in the city, there is certainly not enough money to go around to meet all of these teachers’ needs and I often have to limit the amount of money each department can spend. However, thanks to the class of 1959/1960, there have been a great deal of projects and materials for the students that were able to be funded through the generosity of this particular group of alumni. It amazes me to see such a commitment from this group and we are so grateful for all of the great opportunities you have been able to bring to Allderdice. Thanks again and have a wonderful reunion!

 

 

Dr. James McCoy, Principal

Pittsburgh Allderdice High School

2409 Shady Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15217

412-529-4800

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*          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *                                       Letter from a grant recipient

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Dear Class of 1959/1069,


 

Hello everyone! My name is Patricia (Trish) Withers and I have been a teacher at Allderdice HS since 2004 and a student before that in the 1990's. I have to tell you that when I first heard of the grant opportunities you offer to our staff, I quickly learned that it was a wonderful discovery. In prior years, I would have adventurous ideas of projects I would like to do with my students, but was never really sure where the money would  come from. 


 

Once hearing about the alumni grant, I first applied and was awarded funding to create and build Allderdice's own edible garden right outside the health classroom! We created the Taylor Allderdice Horticultural Society and have been growing and expanding the garden ever since. I also received funding the following year for equipment and materials for the first aid class I instruct (Wellness and Safety Training). It would be quite difficult to teach CPR with rescue breathing and AED use without the training equipment. For all that, I personally can say thank you so much for helping my past, present, and future students.  


 

Two years ago, I was asked to help coordinate the grants. I happily accepted knowing how much you all had helped me with my visions. Now, I get to see how you are helping all the other staff members with their amazing projects. As teachers in a public school, there is very little money left or set aside for things that teachers hope for, sometimes even desperately need. It's a wonderful sight to see graduates giving back to their school and community to help the younger generations.


 

From the bottom of my heart, and in speaking for the rest of my colleagues, we express the deepest gratitude for your generosity and thoughtfulness. 


 

Have a wonderful reunion, and may you have many more to come!


 

Trish Withers

Health and Physical Education


 


 


 


Trish Withers

Allderdice HS

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