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$14,000 for tuition??? Some colleges don't charge that much. And yes I do know that for a fact, my daughter is a senior in high school.
ATLANTA --- A letter from Oprah Winfrey last week seemed like the world's best Christmas present -- until teacher Ron Clark noticed an extra piece of paper flutter out of the envelope.
That's when the Atlanta educator saw the $365,000 check for the innovative private school he opened in one of the city's poorest neighborhoods in 2007. It was, quite literally, an answer to a prayer.
"We teach school all day and fundraise at night," said Mr. Clark, who finds private donors to pay most of the $14,000 annual tuition for each pupil. "To have an unsolicited gift come like that is incredible."
Mr. Clark surprised his pupils with the news Wednesday morning at the south Atlanta school. The children, parents and teachers erupted in deafening cheers when he showed off the check.
Several cried at the news.
"Everything they learn is enhanced because of the teachers' dedication and creativity," said a tearful Gloria Nesmith, whose son, Cameron, is a fifth-grader at the academy. "And Oprah noticed. I'm just overwhelmed."
The donation, which likely will go to scholarships for pupils, would pay for 26 children to attend the school for one year, Mr. Clark said. The 80-pupil middle school depends almost entirely on donations to operate.
In her letter to Mr. Clark, Ms. Winfrey calls him a role model and applauds the "profound difference you're making with your passion for teaching."
The check was issued by the Oprah Winfrey Foundation, which gave $4 million to educational programs in 2008, said foundation executive director Caren Yanis.
Mr. Clark and his pupils became overnight stars during the presidential election when a video of the pupils performing a political rap they wrote grabbed the public's attention on YouTube. The children ended up performing the rap, called Vote However U Like , on national TV shows and aired on CNN and BET.
Teachers at the school frequently use rapping, dancing and drumming to help pupils learn.
Mr. Clark, who taught in one of New York City's toughest schools and wrote the best-selling teaching book The Essential 55 , opened the school last year with proceeds from his book and private donations.
Nearly all of its 80 pupils are from middle- and low-income households.
Parents pay a small part of the tuition and the rest is paid by donors.
Comments
$14,000 for tuition??? Some colleges don't charge that much. And yes I do know that for a fact, my daughter is a senior in high school.
OW..before you make her a saint think about this, how much she's worth compared to how much she donated. Then take the average working citizen in the U.S. & divide that to come out with a precentage. What you would find is the money she donated would be equal to us buying a Snickers candy bar. It's good that the wealthy donate but they get entirely to much praise because their net worth is so high & they only donate a candy bar. Do any of you think that we donated a candy bar could we get our name published in the Chronicle & have them write what a generous people we are?
It's a tax write off................................
Oprah Winfrey has just donated a large amount of money to help these children at their school. It doesn't matter how much money or who has given it. It also doesn't matter whether it is a tax write-off or what percentage of her net worth it is. Also, if you really read the article it said it was given by the "Oprah Winfrey Foundation." Three people have written in as a response to this article and not one has said anything positive about it. She has just paid tuition for 26 pupils, thereby helping them to have opportunities they might not otherwise have. I wish I had the means to do the same. Why should you judge her? Get over yourself.
concernedparent, i could not agree with you more! who the heck are we to criticize anyone who give to others? especially oprah winfrey! people are so critical when it comes to her because they envy her. it makes me sick! it doesn't matter if she give a dollar, a candy car, or a million dollars... it's still the fact of the matter she is giving and trying ot make a difference!
I agree.... 14,000 tuition???? Unfricking real!!!!
Oprah has come through again for a worthwhile and needed cause! My hat is off to Oprah and her foundation for the financial gift to help needy children at the South Atlanta School. Her many acts of kindness and generosity merits a tremendous thanks. Oprah has always been on the forefront leading the way to help humanity.
O ye of little substance! Stop critizing Oprah and her foundation.
Have you or your foundation given your dollar or candy-bar or tax
deduction or whatever?
Put your money where your mouth is OR be quiet!
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