I teach at the 2nd largest high school in the state of Hawaii. The student population is comprised of a roughly 90% immigrant population with English Language needs. As a school constantly unable to meet Annual Yearly Progress and thus consistently under restructuring, funds are extremely limited and programs such as mine are either being cut or neglected. The students engage in project, problem, and inquiry based learning activities where design, analysis, and environmental consciousness are consistent requirements. These students are bright, courteous, enthusiastic, and extremely dedicated when given the opportunities, but many are considered at HIGH risk. Many of the students are required to work after school and/or on the weekends as well as take care of their siblings and older family members while their parents work two and three jobs, are incarcerated, homeless, or not on the island. The surrounding community consists primarily of low-income, working class families. 5 public housing complexes flank Farrington High School and gangs, drugs, and violence are regular occurrences. These students are often exposed to issues that distract and detract from their ability to learn and become successful. A donation would greatly benefit the students currently and soon to be enrolled in my program by providing the necessary resources to develop skills needed for college, career, and other job opportunities as well as expanding the potential for outside, real-world, industry exposure. With exposure to industry standard technologies, students will be able to experience a high tech world and develop fantastic learning experiences and opportunities that would otherwise be difficult to engage in. These students are lovely to work with. They are respectful and thankful for all that they have and make use of everything given to them. A donation would never be wasted or unappreciated. thank you! Jeremy R. Seitz

I work with newcomers from, for the most part, Micronesia (Chuuck) and the Philippines. Farrington High School is a Title 1 school which means that 80% of our students qualify for free or reduced price student breakfast and/or lunch. The school is located in Kahlihi, a part of Honolulu which consists of mostly low-income, working class families. Students' parents typically work two or three jobs and education, especially for Micronesion families, is often not their top priority. For our ESL students, we teach not only English language and study skills, but also how to adapt to American culture and the American educational system. The education they receive at Farrington is crucial to their future success and survival in the United States. Unfortunately, Farrington, as a school in a low income area, does not receive the funding it needs. In the ESl department we never have enough money for the books and other materials we need. I always seem to be begging for money to update our text books or buy more independent reading books, audio or video materials. A donation would help enormously toward replenishing these materials, so crucial to my students English language training.