Letters
1842 words by Tony Davis
The assignment for Blog 8 asks me to write formal letters about my position on education to four individuals I deem best suited to change the issue. Although this blog is being done relatively late, the letters that are contained therein have been mailed out long ago, one of them in early October, and two others in early November. The four individuals that I wrote letters to Ms. Dana Gonzalez, the secondary science coordinator of Orleans Parish Schools, the principal and assistant principals of the two target junior high schools, the parents of potential participants, and the esteemed Mayor of New Orleans, Ray Nagin. After speaking with Ms. Gonzalez about the Chemistry Club’s initiative, a letter was faxed to her office explaining the plan and all the details. She then forwarded the letter to potential target schools and area superintendents. The target schools never got in touch with me, so I decided to call them. Similar letters were drafted for the purpose of informing the principals, assistant principals, and science coordinators of the interested schools. Thirdly, letters were sent to the parents of potential participants informing them about the Chemistry Club’s program and the goals that it hoped to accomplish. Lastly, I have written a letter to the Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans to inform him on my personal views on education in New Orleans, and to see if his office could offer any direction in the endeavors to improve education. Copies of the letters can be found below.
Dear Ms. Gonzalez:
Thank you for assisting the Xavier University of Louisiana American Chemical Society (ACS) Chemistry Club. Over the summer, the ACS Chemistry Club requested funding from ACS to implement a community service initiative that targets New Orleans eighth graders. The goal of this initiative is to improve the science performance of the eighth graders on the Standardized LEAP test. We plan to achieve this goal through short lectures and hands-on experiments where the students, along with the assistance of Xavier faculty members will review each of the major science areas covered on the test.
Eighth graders will have the opportunity to be exposed to a college campus, interact with college students, and learn more about chemistry and science in general. From the success of our program, a positive relationship will be formed between Xavier’s Chemistry Department and the local community. As a result of this program, local eighth grade students will be more confident and prepared for the LEAP test.
In order for a student to participate in this program, he or she must have proper consent from their parents. Further, students will have to provide their own transportation and food. The XULA ACS Chemistry Club will ensure the safety of the students during each of the laboratory sessions.
We would like to begin the program in early November and continue throughout the duration of early December. We would also like to continue the sessions during the Spring semester beginning in early January. Sessions will be held on Saturdays from 9am-noon on Xavier’s campus. Unfortunately, space is limited to thirty slots. Therefore, we are trying to locate the school that has the maximum amount of need and would be most interested in participating. We would be greatly appreciative of any help you could offer in pointing us in the direction of targeting a school. If you have any questions or concerns please contact me via email or telephone.
Dear Parent or Guardian:
Congratulations, the Xavier University of Louisiana American Chemical Society (ACS) Chemistry Club would like to extend to your child an excellent opportunity to participate in an initiative that targets New Orleans eighth grade students. Since the founding of Xavier’s Chemistry Club, members have been motivated to serve the local community in numerous aspects; one of these ways is raising awareness about the importance of science and appreciation of the contributions science and discovery has made in our everyday lives. In continuing with this vision, the ACS chemistry club decided to begin a community service initiative that targets New Orleans eighth graders. The goal of our initiative is to sharpen test taking skills of eighth grade students on the standardized LEAP test. More specifically, we seek to improve the performance of eighth graders on the science portion of the test. We plan to achieve this goal through short workshops and hands-on experiments where the students, along with the assistance of Xavier faculty members will review each of the major science areas covered on the test.
Eighth grade students will benefit greatly from the success of our program. The workshops will not only sharpen your child’s test-taking acuity, but they will also develop science inquiry and investigation skills. Through the workshops, students may be exposed to new material or receive a better understanding of material that has already been covered in school. Furthermore, your child will have the opportunity to be exposed to a college campus, interact with college students, and learn more about chemistry and science in general. As a result of this program, your child will be more confident and prepared for the LEAP test.
In order for your child to participate in this program, he or she must have parental consent. Students will also have to provide their own transportation. The XULA ACS Chemistry Club and faculty members will ensure the safety of the students during each of the laboratory sessions.
The ACS chemistry club would like to begin the program on Saturday, December 4, 2004, and continue throughout the duration of the spring term. There will be about six sessions that will be held on Saturdays from 9am-noon on Xavier’s campus. Unfortunately, space is limited to thirty slots; space will be filled on a first come first serve basis. Please fill out the enclosed permission form and call or email one of the contacts below to let us know that you will be participating. If you have any additional questions or concerns please contact me as soon as possible via email or phone. We look forward to seeing your child on December 4, 2004 for the orientation session.
Thank you for your participation in this crucial matter.
Dear Sir or Madam:
Congratulations, your school has been invited to participate in a community service initiative sponsored by the Xavier University of Louisiana American Chemical Society (ACS) Chemistry Club. Among other schools, Green Middle School was recommended by Dana Gonzalez, the secondary science coordinator for Orleans schools, as a target school. Over the summer, the ACS Chemistry Club requested funding from ACS to implement a community service initiative that targets New Orleans eighth grade students. The goal of this initiative is to improve the science performance of the eighth grade students on the Standardized LEAP test. We plan to achieve this goal through short lectures and hands-on experiments where the students, along with the assistance of Xavier faculty members will review each of the major science areas covered on the test.
Eighth grade students will have the opportunity to be exposed to a college campus, interact with college students, and learn more about chemistry and science in general. From the success of our program, a positive relationship will be formed between Xavier’s Chemistry Department and the local community. As a result of this program, local eighth grade students will be more confident and prepared for the LEAP test.
In order for a student to participate in this program, he or she must have proper consent from their parents. Further, students will have to provide their own transportation. The ACS Chemistry Club and Xavier’s faculty members will ensure the safety of the students during each of the laboratory sessions.
We would like to begin the program on Saturday, December 4, 2004, and continue throughout the duration of the spring term. Sessions will be held on Saturdays from 9am-noon on Xavier’s campus. Unfortunately, space is limited to thirty slots. Therefore, we are asking for a prompt response in this crucial matter. Attached to this letter is a letter to parents and consent forms to participate in the program. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Xavier University’s American Chemical Society Chemistry Club. We look forward to hearing from you.
Dear Mayor Nagin:
My name is Tony Davis and I am currently a sophomore at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans. As a component of my curriculum at Xavier, I am required to take two semesters of theology courses. In my “Introduction to Biblical Studies” course, each student is required to initiate a service learning project that pedagogically improves the community that we live in. Furthermore, the course requires that we keep detailed internet journals on the progression of the project and how it relates to biblical studies. In short, we must choose a problem in the community and tackle it head-on with real life solutions. In addition to this course, I serve as community service co-chair for Xavier University’s American Chemical Society Chemistry Club. Currently, the Chemistry Club is in the process of beginning an initiative that targets New Orleans eighth grade students. The outreach program seeks to improve the performance of eighth grade students on LEAP 21, particularly the science portion of the assessment. In the interest of being resourceful, I felt that it was necessary to integrate my project for theology with the initiative for the Chemistry Club.
Although I am not a native of the great state of Louisiana, I believe that one of the greatest issues that all states encounter is one of granting every child a quality education. After doing some research, I believe that there is an immense need for improved education in America. This need is one that grows increasingly urgent as time continues to march on. America’s children are hungry for a quality education that will provide the foundational skills that are essential to later life successes. Presently, I believe the state of education in America is improving overall; however, the areas that need the most help are being neglected. As you already know, Louisiana has initiated a standardized test called LEAP 21, which fourth and eighth grade students must score at or above the approaching basic level in order to be promoted to the next grade level.
I did some research on the performance of Orleans Parish eighth grade students on the LEAP 21 standardized test for Spring 2003. Analysis shows that only 59% of Orleans Parish eighth grade students in 2003 attained the approaching basic level in English; this was the second lowest percentage in all of Louisiana. In 2003, only 41% of eighth grade students scored at the approaching basic level or higher in the area of Mathematics. In Science, 51% of students scored the approaching basic level, which was the lowest in the state. Finally, in Social Studies, 50% of students scored at the approaching basic level or higher. These statistics are startling, and show that nearly 50% of all eighth-grade students do not even possess the minimal skills to be promoted to higher grades. I am certain that you will support the initiative taken by the ACS Chemistry Club.