Oscar Winning Actor, Artist and Activist, Common, paid a surprise visit to high-needs school P.S. 111 last Thursday. With the help of our corporate partner Burlington Stores, Common presented $10,000 to the school’s teachers, just in time for the upcoming school year. This donation makes it possible for P.S.111 teachers to purchase the classroom supplies their students need.
After the donation was revealed, Common met with a small group of students who shared some of their personal creative work. In turn, Common shared his story, and encouraged them to continue to express themselves through song, writing and art. His final message to the fourth and fifth graders: go for your dreams, anything is possible.
Common and the kids raised the roof at P.S.111, chanting “$10,000, $10,000” over and over again after the surprise donation was announced. The school’s teachers and administrators shared the excitement and were overwhelmed with gratitude.
Common’s mother, Dr. Mahalia Hines (pictured on the left), a 35-year educator and member of the Chicago Board of Education and Obama Foundation, joined her son for the big day. Dr. Hines spoke of her years in the classroom, emphasizing the fact that today more than 96% of teachers spend their own money to make sure their students have the supplies they need to learn and thrive.
The price tag per teacher? An average of $740 per year.
28% of teachers spend more than $1,000. The yearly total is $1.6 billion.
This is the second consecutive back-to-school season we’ve partnered with Burlington Stores and Common to fund teachers in need. You can read about last year’s surprise donation event here.
Want to make a difference for teachers and students with your dollars?
NOW thru August 18, when you shop at any Burlington store you can donate to AdoptAClassroom.org at checkout. Funds raised will support teachers, students, and their classrooms nationwide this upcoming school year.
Click here to find a store near you.
Learn more about our partnership with Burlington Stores here.