October 2008
New Yorkers Lend A Hand To Schools
Welcome to the October edition of Keeping It Going, the monthly e-newsletter of The Fund for Public Schools. During these difficult economic times, NYC public schools are going to need our support now more than ever. Fortunately, there are many ways to lend a hand this month to help support the academic goals of our 1.1 million students. Starting today, all New Yorkers can make a difference through Shop for Public Schools. The Fund for Public Schools is proud to announce that our 2008 program will be the biggest and best ever, in a year when our community and families can surely use a boost. From October 1 to October 8, participating merchants will donate a portion of their sales to The Fund for Public Schools to help revitalize public school libraries across our city. So all you have to do to make a difference in our schools is to shop at a participating retailer during the week. Shop for Public Schools gives public school librarians funding to purchase books, furniture, technology, and other resources to inspire a love a reading in their students. Many librarians bring their libraries into the 21st century with new technology, including computer labs, SMART Boards, and DVD collections. Others use funding to purchase books and other resources to help them partner with classroom teachers to more fully engage their students in research projects. The more you shop, the more our retailers can help meet the needs of public school libraries. Despite the difficult economic news of late, we are encouraged by the progress we are seeing in our schools. Mayor Bloomberg and Chancellor Klein recently released the second annual Progress Reports for elementary, middle and K-8 schools. The results show that, while there is still more work to be done, our schools continue to move in the right direction. Nearly 60 percent of schools either moved up one letter grade, or maintained an "A" for the second consecutive year. Please keep the progress going by getting involved this month!
How to Keep It Going In October
October is full of opportunities to help our public schools. Whether you spend a day painting a school mural or stop by Tory Burch for a new pair of ballet flats, there's something you can do to get involved. Of course, if you know of another great volunteer opportunity not listed here, let us know by emailing info@fundforpublicschools.org.
Ready, Set, Shop!
Shop for Public Schools 2008 provides fun ways for every person to give back to our schools. Visit the all-new, interactive Shop for Public Schools website for our up-to-date list of participating retailers so you can shop at over 200 participating store locations. Exclusive events include an evening at Tory Burch for cocktails and shopping, a wellness night hosted by Jeunesse ‘Spas for Life', a Samantha Thavasa-hosted event featuring Tinsley Mortimer, and the World of Disney’s night of discount shopping, prizes, and daytime soap stars.  Also, stay in the loop about Shop for Public Schools merchandise such as tote bags designed by Cynthia Rowley and produced by Fishs Eddy, and Theory’s P.S. NYC designer shirt collection. 100% of the proceeds will go to benefit The Fund for Public Schools. So from now until October 8, remember to shop 'till you drop!
New York Cares Day is October 18
Be a part of New York Cares Day—New York City's largest day of volunteer service! New York Cares is looking for volunteers to help paint a brighter future for thousands of New York City school children. Join them on Saturday, October 18, for our seventeenth annual New York Cares Day. Volunteers will help create better learning environments at over 100 public schools throughout the five boroughs by painting murals and classrooms, adding bright new line games to playgrounds, organizing libraries, planting flowers, and more. It’s a day of good, clean fun, and a great way to get involved! For more information, or to register, please visit www.newyorkcaresday.org.
Help Support The Arts in Public Schools
 Join In The Pocket NYC for an evening of music to support The Fund for Public Schools. In The Pocket NYC is a unique organization of young, talented musicians who teach as passionately as they play. On October 6 at 7:30pm, students will perform beside their teachers in an effort to give back to New York City's arts education community. Proceeds from the event will benefit The Fund for Public Schools' Arts SPACE grant program, which revitalizes performance facilities in New York City public schools. For more information about the concert or In The Pocket NYC, click here.
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 Now you can be even more connected with The Fund for Public Schools. Click here to become an official "fan" of The Fund, and show all your friends that you support the incredible progress being made in our public schools. And if you're an alum of New York City's more than 1,500 public schools, click here to join our newly launched alumni network.
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Shop for Public Schools
Highlights Cynthia Rowley
Cynthia Rowley: P.S. Mom & Fashion Icon Gives Back
As a fashion design sensation and New York City public school mom, Cynthia Rowley asks the question, “How could I not get involved in Shop for Public Schools?”
A participant in Shop for Public Schools since the program began in 2004, Cynthia understands the importance of getting the private sector involved in our schools. This year, her boutique on Bleeker Street joins hundreds of other locations throughout the five boroughs in contributing a portion of sales to The Fund for Public Schools between October 1 and 8. "People want to support their community and its young people," she says. "This is a project I'm very passionate about." Growing up in Illinois, Cynthia Rowley knew first-hand the importance of public school. Her father, now retired, taught science at the local high school. Cynthia graduated from her neighborhood public schools, and recounts a funny story to illustrate an invaluable lesson that helped shape her future in fashion. Though she was interested in the sciences, she also learned early on she had a knack for design, style, and creativity. "In art class, the assignment was to draw bluebirds," she says. "I wound up drawing this crazy rainbow bird. My teacher kept trying to correct me, but after three tries it still wasn't a bluebird. My mother said that if I wanted to draw it differently, that was just my way of being creative." Cynthia feels strongly that creativity and open-mindedness are what set public schools apart. "Public schools are more well-rounded, and reflective of the diversity and spirit of New York," she says. "I'm always encouraging my friends to send their kids to public schools. Right now, there's just so much innovation. The public schools are always exploring new ways of teaching." Today, Cynthia's eye for style has propelled her to the heights of the fashion world. Her unique designs are available internationally including in her own boutiques in the US, Japan, Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Taiwan, and she is the co-author of several books. She was honored by the Council of Fashion Designers of America and she is a familiar face on shows like Project Runway, The Today show, and the Style Network. A committed mother, Cynthia's older daughter is in fourth grade at a public school in Chelsea, and her younger daughter will start school next year. Cynthia knows that as our public schools continue to improve, it is critically important that they have the resources they need-- and that the private sector has a lot to contribute. In fact, this year Cynthia designed a tote bag exclusively for Shop for Public Schools, produced in conjunction with Fishs Eddy. The bags can be purchased on Cynthia's website, or at several other participating retailers-- Fishs Eddy, Shoofly, Blue Ribbon General Store, One Girl Cookies, and more. For a complete listing of Shop for Public Schools retailers, or for more information about the program, click here. Cynthia's message to New Yorkers during Shop for Public Schools Week is clear. "Get out there and shop!" she says. "It's a great cause, and an easy way to get involved with something that directly impacts the schools and our community."
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