2014 "Dash for Dignity" Charitable Cause Application

Here is the electronic version of the 2014 "Dash for Dignity" Charitable Cause application.  Please read and fill out if you know of an individual, family, or organization that could use a little financial support.

On May 10, 2014 the 3rd Annual "Dash for Dignity", hosted by the students and staff of Middleburg Heights Junior High School, will take place.  We have run for four worthwhile causes the last two years and experienced great success:

2012 - The Elenore Rocks Foundation (donated $3,500) and Chardon High School (donated $1,000)
2013 - The family of Stan Bugarcic (donated $5,500) and The SADS Foundation - sudden arrhythmia death syndromes (donated $1,000)

We look forward to the changes we are implementing this year as we involve our students in the planning of this charitable run.  All applications submitted will be evaluated by the 8th grade students in my Advanced Writing class and one application will be picked as our designated charitable cause at the 2014 "Dash for Dignity" 5K community run. 

Another Year in the Books

The 2012-2013 school came to a close on May 30th.  There were many changes that awaited us at the end of the year:

• Frederick Roehm Middle School closed its doors to students and staff forever
• The new teacher evaluation system (OTES) was implemented a year early as a stepping stone for its official inaugural year in 2013-2014
• The PARCC Assessments were introduced
• The Berea City School District staff and students went through the final steps in its consolidation process
• New teaching assignments awaited many staff members

Some highlights from the 2012-2013 school year were:

• 2nd Annual "Dash for Dignity" raised $6,500 for two worthwhile causes (The Family of Triathlete Stan Bugarcic and The SADS Foundation).  This brings our two year race total to $11,000 and 4 charitable causes benefiting (The Eleonore Rocks Foundation, Chardon High School, The Family of Triathlete Stan Bugarcic, and The SADS Foundation)

 

The group running in memory of Stan Bugarcic - a local triathlete that passed away while participating in The Greater Cleveland Triathlon in August of 2012.  Stan left behind his wife, Erin, and two young daughters.

The group running for The SADS Foundation (Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes)

We were thankful to have the awesome group - Super Heroes to Kids in Ohio be a part of our 2013 "Dash for Dignity" they honored several children for overcoming adversity and designated them "Super Heroes"

Super Heroes to Kids in Ohio kicked off the 2nd Annual "Dash for Dignity"

And they're off

• 2 8th grade students earned the first ever "Purple Cow" Awards for "Thinking Different"

"Purple Cow" Award winner #1 ... achieved this award for doing it "Gangnam Style" in Washington D.C. with her family

"Purple Cow" Award winner #2 ... achieved this award for a brilliant piece of Thanksgiving Weekend writing

• 4 8th grade students were inducted into the English/Language Arts "Hulk" of Fame (1 Elite Inductee and 3 Varsity Inductees) for achieving very high standards, in English/Language Arts, throughout the school year.

The "Elite" Inductee ... the only student to ever achieve this prestigious award

I look forward to the challenges and new opportunities that await me in my new teaching assignment as an 8th grade writing teacher at Middleburg Heights Junior High School.  Next week my blog will focus on where to take my teaching and learning in 2013-2014.