From hosting food drives to developing anti-gun campaigns, Pride Scholars used their critical thinking skills, creativity, and concern for social justice issues to develop amazing Project Pride service projects that impacted our community and world in a positive way.
From its conception, Pride Academy Charter School has been “dedicated to academic achievement, mastery of fundamental skills, positive leadership, and active service…” To that end, Pride Academy challenges scholars to develop proposals for annual grade-level service projects as part of our “Project Pride” service initiative, which challenges students to be community leaders and activists by working to address a variety of social issues. Fifth graders develop projects around the topic of Health. Sixth (6th) graders focus on Poverty. Seventh (7th) graders focus on Violence. Eighth (8TH) graders on Education.
After months of developing, reviewing, and voting on the best proposals, and then developing the actual plan for their service projects, scholars brought their ideas to life.
Sixth grader, Adara Bacote, turned her passion for drawing and art into an opportunity to feed those in need by developing a Student Art Show which invited students to view student art with the donation of non-perishable food items as the only cost of admission. At the event 30 works of student art were displayed and members of the school community were able to view artwork and vote for the winner of the “People’s Choice Award.” First, Second, and Third place winners received certificates and Amazon gift cards. The event collected 6 shopping bags full of non-perishable items for the Imani Baptist Food Pantry.
Through the leadership of three dynamic seventh graders, Selena Apparicio, Sydney Brown, and Akeylah Evans, Pride Academy participated in National Wear Orange Day against Gun Violence on June 2nd. They sold orange bandanas for scholars to wear on the day and also had a snack sale to support the non-profit, Everytown Against Gun Violence. Their efforts raised a total of $446 for Everytown.
The Class of 2023 decided to reconnect with East Orange Community Charter School by reading to kindergarten and first grade classes to promote the importance of reading and literacy. This project was developed by Brandon Ash and Ashley Jean Paul who selected a group of 10 eighth graders to go to EOCCS where they not only had the opportunity to read to some classes, they also shared motivational messages with the 4th graders about what they had learned during their time Pride Academy about how to be successful in school so that you can go to a great high school and have a successful future.
Right now, Yasim Wade and Jamal Lawrence Jr. are finalizing their plans for the service project they developed last year. They’re working on a brochure and giveaways to give to the whole school during our annual Healthy Kids Day on Friday, October 6th. Yasim, Jamal, and members of their committee will have a vendor table at the event with information about how smoking, vaping, and marijuana negatively impact those with asthma. Their slogan is “Be a Winner! Stay Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Free!” This creative “Be a Winner!” sports theme will be carried out throughout Respect Week with a Parent Party Game Night, a Sports Jersey Dress Down Day, and special games and competitions that they’re preparing for the Healthy Kids Day.