Nobody who spent the spring of 2010 in Arlington could fail to notice the remarkable outpouring of support for the Bridge the Gap campaign. In just six short weeks, Arlington residents contributed almost $600,000 and saved more than 18 positions in the Arlington Public Schools, ensuring, among other things: that elementary school students will still have art, music, and library every week; that middle school students will have sixth grade World Languages, ACE, and reading support; and that the high school will bring back art and English Language Arts teaching staff that were slated to be cut.
Arlington's community spirit and commitment to education shown through from the first lemonade stand Joji Ruccio and Lia McDonald Meteer put on to the fabulous donation from Armstrong Ambulance in the final week and all the wonderful events in between: Tom Ferrante's jazz band swinging the high school auditorium, all the PTO's putting on a monster bake sale in the middle of town, and who could forget the Ottoson students and many of our town officials filling Town Hall with music.
As exciting as the money we raised was the amazing spirit displayed by the Arlington community in rising to meet this challenge. From the lemonade stands and yard sales to the fantastic online auction, and, most important, all the individual gifts, Arlington residents demonstrated impressive creativity and commitment on behalf of our schools.
AEF is especially grateful to the members of the Bridge the Gap Steering Committee who worked so hard to make this campaign a reality: Mary Ellen Aronow, Juli Brazile, Barbara Dumery, Michelle Farrington, Danuta Forbes, Kathryn Gandek-Tighe, Kimberly Kapner, Jennifer Lewis-Forbes, Jennifer Melcher, Marie Meteer, and Amy Speare.
Thanks to everyone who Contributed to Bridge the Gap!
The Bridge the Gap Campaign electrified the Arlington community and raised over $600,000 to save positions and programs in the face of severe budget cuts.
