Principal Running Marathon to Buy New Computers for Every Classroom
"They just need the same resources as other children."
— -- A Philadelphia principal is determined to raise money for new classroom computers -- and she's running the extra miles to prove it.
Principal Stephanie Andrewlevich will run the Philadelphia marathon in an attempt to raise $94,000 on GoFundMe to cover the cost to buy 240 Chromebooks plus Tech Tubs for the kids of S. Weir Mitchell Elementary School in Southwest Philadelphia. She said the students have motivated her to race to the finish.
"They are my inspiration for me and my teachers," Andrewlevich told ABC News. "The only reason we are all there is for them because they are so bright and creative and they have so much untapped potential. They just need the same resources as other children."
Andrewlevich has been principal at Mitchell for more than a year.
The school educates 565 students from grades kindergarten through 8th, some of whom battle socio-ecomonic challenges.
Mitchell currently has between two and four desktop computers in each of its 40 classroom and each class has an average of 33 kids, Andrewlevich said.
"We have one computer lab with 33 computers, but we have 565 kids, which means they are only getting to that computer lab once a week 45 minutes," she said. "If we have the Chromebooks, it lets them access a differentiated program. The computer teacher can then teach those 21st century skills that those kids are going to need for jobs when they leave us."
Andrewlevich is running the 26.2 miles on Sunday with the intention to raise the $94,000 for the Chromebooks and Tech Tubs. She hopes the computers will help implement individualized learning a online program known as iReady. The new technology and iReady will reinforce literacy and math skills, she said.
"You say a marathon is 26 miles and they don't get it," Andrewlevich said, with a laugh. "I'm telling them that life doesn't always give you what you deserve to have and sometimes you have to fight positively to get them."
In addition to participating in the marathon, Andrewlevich has encouraged the kids to get involved through a fun run.
Each child was asked to collect a $5 donation and on Nov. 17, they will take a lap around the school with their grade. Andrewlevich will run with each group.
"It's important to me that they did something to get the donations," she said. "It's a good life lesson and they're excited about the fun run. Through the good times, the challenges and through the successes, we are family."
Andrewlevich has raised just over $10,000 of the $94,000 goal on the "Miles for Mitchell" GoFundMe page.
She hopes a corporate donor can help with the Chromebook purchases, she said.
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