Making the case for Brandywine

I just found out that Brandywine High School is in the running for $500,000 from Kohl's Cares but we need more votes. I'll try to keep this short and sweet because your time is precious but if there was ever a school that needed that money, it's Brandywine. The students who get involved in projects, teams, clubs, etc. are genuinely passionate about what they're doing and the district is fortunate to have teachers and coaches who share in that passion. They just don't have the resources to really explore their interests. The teachers and staff at BHS do amazing with the little that they have but that extra edge is always missing. This is their chance to finally showcase their full potential.

So why Brandywine?

- Asbestos lab tables. Unsafe drinking water from the fountains and showers that didn't work. Leaky ceiling tiles around the entire building. That was the high school as I was graduating. The district could hardly afford to fix the building, let alone support the programs that really help develop students. They have recently passed a bond that allowed them to make improvements but most of the difference was to make sure that the school didn't fall apart around them.

- Sports: Our district boasts of an amazing sports program. Softball state title, volleyball state runs, conference titles hung around the entire gym... They have the talent but until a few years ago, they were still running on a cinder track which made them ineligible to host track meets. A lot of effort, passion, and money has gone into revamping our sporting facilities and the community is so proud of the changes they've made. Imagine what they'd do with more!

- Fine Arts: Our band, choir, theatre, and visual arts students have been regularly selected for showcase at the Conference Fine Arts Festival. As a high school band dork, I can tell you, Brandywine High School Marching Band was the band to beat at competitions. These fine arts programs have suffered because of lack of funds. Competitions, instruments, materials...everything is on a strict budget. It has been heartbreaking to see the band program which was made up of over 20% of our high school, dwindle and lose momentum. This year they will be lucky to have 20 kids in band.

- Academics: Arguably the most important component of high school. My junior year of high school (2001)a friend came to me with his biology book, laughing. As he opened the front cover he pointed out the second person who signed to check out this textbook. It was my dad...checking out the book for his biology class in 1971. I'm no biology major but I'm fairly certain the field has developed since the 70s.

If a district is going to prepare its students for college, the "real world" and everything their next step may bring, shouldn't they have the resources to get all the information they deserve? Brandywine is full of involved parents, teachers, staff, and students...many of whom have known each other for generations. They want to continue to develop the school and bring it back up to the standard which was expected when the school began - to be the School of Choice in the Niles area and provide its students with a better than average academic experience. They already do so much with so little and what often holds them back are the funds. Please help them achieve their goals and cast 5 votes for the Brandywine Bobcats or use the button at the bottom of this blog. http://bit.ly/cCci5G

For more information about Brandywine Community Schools, please visit http://brandywine.schoolfusion.us/