As we kick off the new school year, ACSF is committed to collaborating with our community to do whatever it takes for all ACS students to thrive. Each of our programs are grounded in a pursuit of equity and the desire to magnify the genius, encourage the curiosity, celebrate the joy, and support the aspirations of our students, teachers and staff.
|
|
Dear ACS Community,
When you walk into my Jones Elementary classroom, you will see the word “WHY” written in the top corner of the whiteboard. I begin every school day reading the word “WHY” as a simple reminder to pause and think about what motivates me to show up every day as a visual arts teacher for Asheville City Schools.
As a teacher and as an Asheville City Schools Foundation board member, I collaborate with staff and fellow board members to do “whatever it takes” to build a strong ACS community in which everyone feels seen, supported, and has opportunities to thrive. For us, it all begins with providing a space for children to feel encouraged, think freely, and to develop the skills that will support them as they become their best future selves and realize their own “WHY.”
It is a challenging time for educators in this country. Many talented, giving teachers are reevaluating their lives and their commitment to education and deciding to leave the profession. Our hope is that we, the people who strongly believe in the power and necessity of public education, can continue doing our part to fully support the needs of our community’s educators as they live into their “WHY” by continuing to serve our city’s children.
Won’t you please join me in supporting the ACSF annual campaign this fall so we can expand teacher supports this year and continue to provide K-12 programming that encourages students to find their “WHY”?
In service,
|
|
Roland (Tre) Brodas
Williams III
|
|
|
Ximena Zulay Del
Corral Smith
|
|
Shavonne Darity,
Development Associate
|
|
|
Aryelle Jacobsen
Scholarships and TAPAAS Coordinator
|
|
Josh Wilson,
In Real Life After-School
Program Associate
|
|
Tyshaun Johnson,
Alumni Center Coordinator
|
|
She left this world as she lived - in peace and love.
"In the life of an organization, there are moments when we are blessed with a true champion, a rare friend who gives generously of her time, wisdom, and resources. So many of ACSF’s big ideas have had the blessing and the backing of Muriel Siddall. She positively impacted thousands of student and teacher lives, and she did so humbly and quietly. She taught us how to trust ourselves by trusting us. We have been truly blessed and we will miss our dear friend, Muriel Siddall." - Copland Rudolph, Executive Director
Muriel was a lifelong learner, a wonderful listener, and she had a kind and gentle spirit. She leaves as her legacy her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She also leaves a better place for those she knew and many more she never knew but through her generosity. To read more about the remarkable life of this amazing woman, please click here. ACSF continues to draw hope and inspiration from our friendship with Muriel and the life she lived:
"Go out into the world in peace.
Have courage.
Hold onto what is good.
Return no one evil for evil.
Strengthen the faint-hearted.
Support the weak.
Help the suffering.
Honor all persons."
- Talitha Arnold, UCC minister
|
|
School is back and so are ACSF's direct service programs! In Real Life After-School fall registration is currently open, and both the DREAM (Dedicated. Responsible. Enthusiastic. After-School. Mentors) Team and REAP (Racial Equity Ambassador Program) are accepting applications now through September 7th! Click below to learn more about each program.
|
|
Want to make a big impact without touching your wallet? Here are 3 easy ways to support Asheville's students and teachers:
|
|
Support ACSF while you shop! Visit smile.amazon.com, s ign in with your Amazon.com credentials, choose Asheville City Schools Foundation as your charity of choice, and start shopping! Don't forget to add a bookmark to smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return!
|
|
Sign up for a Go Local Card! The Go Local Card gets you access to discounts and special offers at over 570 local businesses in Asheville, all while benefiting our public schools.
|
|
Donate your IRA Required Minimum Distribution! If you are 70.5 years of age or older, you can make a gift to ACSF from your Individual Retirement Account! Your gift is free of federal income tax, counts toward your annual Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), and is excluded from your gross income. Click here to learn more!
|
|
Donations may also be made via cash, check, wire transfers, or online. Cash and Checks may be mailed to: Asheville City Schools Foundation, PO Box 3196 Asheville, NC 28802. Please contact Rebecca Abide, Development and Communications Director at (828) 350-6179 to receive banking information for wire transfers or to gift shares of stock.
|
|
Click here to view a full list of community businesses supporting our students.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
