While the Chicago Public Schools recently approved our budget, we are still navigating significant challenges in school funding. This year alone, we saw an $84 per-student funding reduction and an $11,111 cut to after-school program support (the cut in after school programming is equivalent to losing over 200 hours of after school programming in the school year)
Your generosity and commitment are what make it possible for us to bridge these gaps. In 2007, the Friends and Family of South Loop School (FFSLS) was created as a non-profit to do just that—to ensure our students’ experiences are not diminished by financial shortfalls.
Friends and Family of South Loop School (FFSLS) is a parent and community-led nonprofit that mobilizes volunteers and resources to support South Loop Elementary School. The funding provided by Chicago Public Schools covers only the basics and FFSLS bridges that gap by raising critical dollars and cultivating partnerships that enrich student learning and the overall school experience. With your help, we can raise the critical funds needed to enrich student learning and the overall school experience. FFSLS fund classroom and library resources, teacher grants, enrichment programs, and community-building events.
Your contributions, including the annual school fee (you can submit your school fee payment via this link https://southloopschool.org/student-fee/) directly fund crucial resources like classroom and library materials, teacher grants, and enrichment programs. Our signature fundraisers, the Fall Fun Run and the Spring Benefit, also play a vital role, collectively generating over $75,000 each year.
How our school’s fundraising efforts has helped with the budget deficit so far:
- Evanston Band & Orchestra $1,886.25- Band Instrument Repairs
- Renaissance $1,822.00- Online Resource for Students
- Mystery Writing $999.00- Science Resource for Students
- School Health $698.62 – P.E.Supplies for Students
- Smart Technology $4,860.00 – School Tech Support
- Great Books Foundation $2,753.93 – ELA Instructional Books for Students
- Blue Streak $295.00 – Math Professional Development Workshop
- Museum of Science and Industry $250.00 – Science Professional development Workshop
- Stages Chicago $7,785.00 – Student Drama Club and Performance
- Uniting Voices Choir $5,000- Student Choir Program and Performances
- Opera for All : $2,400.00 – Student Musical Program and Performance
- Miscellaneous: $ 1,000 – Science Supplies, Tables for school events, and Cell Phone Lockers.
Upcoming expenses:
- Robotics Club ($6000)
- Replenish Tech Devices ($20,000)
- Classroom Projectors ($5000)
FFSLS is working to provide as many opportunities to raise money throughout the school year. Please read South Loop’s weekly blast to learn more about our upcoming fundraisers: Monthly Dine to Donate, Fall Fun Run and Double Good Popcorn Sale.
We want to express our deepest gratitude to our incredible South Loop School community and the Friends and Family of SLES organization for all of your continued support.