Walton Family Foundation Planning Grant Application

After many late nights and group meetings we turned in our Walton Foundation grant application today!  The planning grant, if awarded, could be $30,000.  These funds would be utilized to hire professionals to review our 2012 charter petition that will be submitted to Atlanta Public Schools, to market the Westside Atlanta Charter School Brand through online and traditional media and door-to-door efforts, to secure necessary training for the planning board, and to procure a fundraising feasibility study.

The Walton Family Foundation is a strong supporter of charter schools and Atlanta is one of its focus areas.  The Foundation offers even larger startup grants for approved charter schools, and so we look forward to an on-going relationship!  Thanks to Hannah Heck for leading the charge and the Georgia Charter School Association for all of your guidance!

Fundraising

We're now able to accept donations via paypal or credit card!  If you're considering a charitable donation of goods/services or money to WACS please know that we have applied for 501c3 status and as such donations are tax deductible.  You'll receive a receipt through the Paypal service electronically, or via postal mail if the donation is sent to our post office box. 

As of this blog entry date our financial needs for Westside Atlanta Charter School primarily revolve around purchasing promotional materials and funding community events to get the word out on the Westside.  We've also begun a capital and operational campaign which will fund renovation and startup expenses.  We're corresponding with various education-oriented Foundations such as the Walton Foundation, in addition to local Atlanta corporations and foundations.  If you're contemplating a donation to WACS and want to discuss further please contact us via email at info@wacs.us. 

YMCA Kid's Christmas Party

WACS volunteers had a great time at the Carl E.Sander's YMCA Kid's Christmas Party on December 10th.  This YMCA serves the 30318 zip code (where potential WACS parents and students live) and offers amazing facilities and services ranging from tennis to weights to indoor and outdoor pools, along with babysitting (while parents work out) and summer camp programs.  We worked with young people at the Christmas party to create marshmallow snowflakes, and talked with parents about the vision for WACS.  Thanks to everyone who signed our petition at the event!

You can make your very own marshmallow snowflake with miniature and large marshmallows and toothpicks. Place a large marshmallow flat side down in the center of the work space. Stick six toothpicks around the sides of the large marshmallow equally spaced. Stick small marshmallows onto the toothpicks to create the spokes of the snowflake. These can be left out to dry over a few days, then string can be added to create ornaments. 

Marshmallow snowflakes are tasty!

Brother, sister bonding time at the WACS table

WACS Board / Planning Team Monthly Meetings

The WACS planning team holds monthly board meetings the second Thursday of each month at team member's houses on the Westside.  The November 2011 meeting was in West Highlands and the December 2011 meeting will be in Grove Park.  These meetings are a great chance to learn about WACS and to meet other planning team members who live on the Westside.  It's also a great way to get involved in the charter school planning process which will culminate with petition submittal April 2012.  Meetings are open to everyone!  Email wacsch@gmail.com to find out the location of the next meeting. Join us!

CCNA Fall Festival

The Community Building Coalition of Northwest Atlanta, CCNA (https://sites.google.com/site/ccnatlanta/), is an organization committed to supporting the revitalization of Northwest Atlanta by focusing on education, health servcies, and economic opportunity.  CCNA is supported by Emory University, various local churches, and numerous volunteers.  The CCNA Fall Festival was a great event that connected community residents to numerous health, education, and other service providers.  It was also a lot of fun!  WACS had a great time meeting many parents and children who were interested in bringing a public charter school to zip code 30318!

Local high school ROTC students help WACS Advisory Board member William Hill blow up balloons for children

 

Good times at the CCNA Fall Festival!