PRESS RELEASE: Jones Day Foundation Pledges Support to Citizen Schools to Expand STEM Programs Nationally
CITIZEN SCHOOLS CONTACT: Holly Trippett, (617) 695-2300 x1161, Cell: (301)-452-3904, hollytrippett@citizenschools.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JONES DAY FOUNDATION PLEDGES SUPPORT TO CITIZEN SCHOOLS TO EXPAND STEM PROGRAMS NATIONALLY
Boston, MA– February 9, 2015—Citizen Schools, a leading national education nonprofit, today announced new support from the Jones Day Foundation to expand its science, technology, education and math (STEM) programs across the country. AmeriCorps educators and volunteer “Citizen Teachers” teach real-world learning projects and provide academic support in order to help all students discover and achieve their dreams.
Citizen Schools partners with underserved public middle schools to dramatically expand the learning day by 400 hours each academic year. During the additional school hours, the organization mobilizes AmeriCorps Teaching Fellows and corporate volunteers from firms like Jones Day who provide academic support and teach hands-on “apprenticeships” that help students make the connection between what they are learning now and a future career path. More than half of the skill-building apprenticeships are focused on STEM subjects and activities.
The Jones Day Foundation investment will allow Citizen Schools to provide middle school students with authentic learning experiences and access to STEM experts who can spark a lifelong interest in the subjects. The support will also help the organization build a rich library of curriculum for STEM apprenticeships that develop essential academic and 21st century skills, meet the needs of diverse learners, and maximize the talents of volunteers who also learn in the process.
“Real-world apprenticeship projects bring relevance and unique learning opportunities to students, igniting new interests and increasing engagement in the classroom,” said Steven M. Rothstein, CEO of Citizen Schools. “We are pleased to have the Jones Day Foundation as a partner as we work to advance and expand our STEM programs for the students and schools we serve to improve math proficiency and ensure a more diverse 21st century workforce.”
”The Jones Day Foundation is designed to make transformative gifts to address needs throughout the world,” said Lizanne Thomas, a partner in Jones Day’s Atlanta office and President of the Jones Day Foundation. “Supporting Citizen Schools, which shares our vision and mission of transformation, is a perfect fit for the Foundation.”
“Since opening in Boston in 2011, Jones Day has been active in the Boston charitable and civic community," said Traci Lovitt, Partner-in-Charge of Jones Day’s Boston office. “We are honored to partner with organizations like Citizen Schools. Spending time with the Edwards Middle School students in Boston through Citizen Schools has been a great experience, and we look forward to continuing to work with these wonderful children and Citizen Schools.”
For the past two spring semesters Jones Day employees have taught law apprenticeships to 6th grade students at Edwards Middle School in Boston, MA. Working side-by-side with Jones Day lawyers, students transform into trial and appellate court lawyers, arguing their cases at Moakley Court House at the end of each spring semester.
About Citizen Schools
Citizen Schools is a national nonprofit organization that partners with middle schools to expand the learning day for children in low-income communities. Citizen Schools mobilizes a team of AmeriCorps educators and volunteer “Citizen Teachers” to teach real-world learning projects and provide academic support in order to help all students discover and achieve their dreams. For more information, please visit http://www.citizenschools.org/.
About The Jones Day Foundation
The Jones Day Foundation, established in 1987, is a nonprofit organization funded by Jones Day's lawyers and staff. The Foundation's mission is to financially support efforts that include promoting the rule of law in developing countries, fostering innovation in academics, medicine and the arts, improving the living conditions and economic opportunities for people in impoverished settings (particularly children and women), and providing support and comfort to people suffering from natural and other disasters around the world.
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