April 13, 2020
Dear Friends of Center School,
Each year, we look forward to hosting our signature event in the spring. This celebration of our school and community highlights our mission, and is a major fundraiser in supporting programming for our students who learn differently. We thank you for your past support and are extremely appreciative of your support this year for Center School’s Rally to Read Community Festival.
While the learning process has been affected by the coronavirus, our programming remains strong and personalized through a virtual model. Our students are continuing to learn through an online program we have put in place. COVID-19 has also affected our economy, and there is no telling of its ripple effect on financial resources. What we do know is that this virus has already impacted our community, and people are struggling.
In light of Governor Wolf’s recent announcement of school closures through June, we must cancel this year’s Rally to Read Community Festival. This realization was an extremely difficult one to acknowledge for several reasons. First and foremost is that we are unable to gather as a community. Being able to personally connect with our families, community members, and supporters is extremely important to us so that we are able to express our gratitude and thanks. Our past events have been days that are filled with great memories for all involved. Second, hosting our event provides us with an opportunity to showcase our school and the incredible children, teachers, and staff who make Center School a place of excellence for students with learning differences. Third, the cancellation of our event directly impacts our budget in a significant way which makes it more challenging to find ways to support programming for our students who so desperately need it. This event has been the major fundraiser for Center School each year, and we must now find ways to replace the monies raised at that event, and to do so in challenging times.
Even though we are not in the physical building, we need your help now more than ever so that we can continue to provide all of the programming that sets Center School apart from other schools. Funds that we have received thus far for Rally to Read are greatly appreciated, and we thank each of you who have agreed to convert those donations into general donations for the School. We are building a virtual model to continue support for this fundraiser and hope you can be a part of it. We fully acknowledge the financial impact that COVID-19 has had on our community members, yet we are hopeful that some of you will still be able to support us and in doing so, support our students.
We once again thank you for your past and current support. We look forward to being able to gather and celebrate in the near future with our students, families, community members, and donors – those who fully embrace our mission and recognize the difference Center School’s programming makes in the lives of our students who learn differently.
With appreciation and our best to stay healthy and well.
Mindy Wawrzyniak, Head of School
Featuring Cow Pie Bingo
Center School is proud to host its first ever COW PIE BINGO during our Rally to Read Community Festival You are betting on where the cow will drop its first “Cow Pie”. Buy a land parcel for $20 per square for a chance to win $1,000.00! You can buy as many squares as you like and do not need to be present to win. Squares will be sold numerically, but will be computer generated and randomly assigned on May 9, 2020.
