Needs Remain At Bak Despite Recent MSOA Foundation Grants
In October 2011 The Middle School of the Arts (MSOA) Foundation granted teachers’ wish lists for the 2011-2012 school year. In 2010, Bak’s magnet budget was cut by 10%, significantly impacting the Artist in Residence Program it previously funded. Artists in Residence provide individual and small group arts and music lessons – a vital component of Bak’s tremendous success. The bulk of the foundation’s 2010-2012 grants went to maintaining this valuable program instead of providing for classroom equipment, as it did in the past.
Other grants included replacing or augmenting technology and equipment, some of it dating back to the school’s opening in 1998. Other essentials included underwriting classroom projects to include students qualifying for free/reduced lunch programs. “Bridging the gap” between underserved children and their more affluent peers has always been an important focus for the MSOA Foundation.
Despite the recent grants, classroom needs remain. As part of its’ overall fundraising efforts the Foundation is hosting a Passport event (parent reception) at Roxy’s on 11.11.11. The MSOA Foundation relies on grants and donations in addition to special events to provide nearly a quarter of a million dollars to Bak MSOA each year. Bak parents have been asked to contribute $100 or more annually towards the ongoing “$100,000.00 Save the Arts Campaign” launched in response to the magnet reductions but many have been unable to donate. However, community and business partners like Oxbow Corporation have contributed significantly, and for many years, to protect the stellar programming offered to children from across the County. Donations from Oxbow have exceeded half a million dollars in the last two years alone, but with decreasing budgets and parent contributions, needs remain.
For details on upcoming Foundation events, or to donate to the Save the Arts Campaign at Bak Middle School of the Arts, please contact Executive Director Jody Dragon at (561) 882-3828 or email msoafoundation@msn.com, “friend” us on Facebook at Bak Middle School of the Arts Foundation (groups), or visit our web page at msoafoundation.org.
The School District’s goal is to prepare all students for academic success and we appreciate and encourage community and family partnerships such as this to reach that goal.
Contact info:
Jody Dragon
Executive Director, Middle School of the Arts Foundation at Bak
Office (561) 882-3828
Email msoafoundation@msn.com and dragonj@palmbeachschools.org.
