Through our ALEX AND ANI | CHARITY BY DESIGN partnership with the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation (BCSF), we’ve been able to renovate four media arts rooms at local schools solely through donations from sales of the Celtic Knot Charm Bangle. These state of the art spaces contain the latest technology, allowing students to channel their creativity and discover untapped skills and passions.
The Celtic Knot Charm Bangle.
In honor of the launch of the new Kindred Cord Shamrock, our second piece supporting BCSF, we’re honored to welcome Tracey Curley, Principal of Henry Lord Middle School, as a guest blogger. In the story below, Ms. Curley discusses the school’s challenging history, subsequent rise to greatness, and the positive impact the renovated art room is having on the students.
The Kindred Cord Shamrock.
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The Henry Lord Community School opened its doors to students in September 2014, a year after an underperforming middle school with the same namesake was closed at the site. Initially, there was talk of a name change – some felt there was negative energy associated with the closed school – but by decision-making time, it was clear that the community wanted nothing more than to keep the name, the school colors, and mascot. We were to be the Henry Lord Bulldogs, and we would wear green as had the Bulldogs who came before us!
Certainly, our opening year was not without its difficulties, as students, staff and families in grades PK-6 came together to create a new community of learners. As a new school, we didn’t have the luxury of a rich history in which students could take pride, and a rocky start made plenty of people wonder whether we could turn things around. In our first year, our chronic absenteeism and suspension rates were high – both indicating that we were not meeting the needs of our high needs population.
The art room prior to renovation.
Fast forward a year and a half, and things are starting to look up at the Henry Lord Community School. Student attendance has improved, our suspension rate has decreased, and we are beginning to make academic strides. Things are not picture-perfect, but progress continues. Recognizing that we can’t do it alone, we look for community partners to assist us in turning things around. Last month, we were honored to receive our most generous donation of time and resources to date – one that left us with a renovated art lab and memories of a launch party that are not likely to fade anytime soon.
The art room after renovation, filled with smiling faces and positive energy.
On February 23, 2016, we unveiled the new art lab to thirty students in grades 4-7 – budding student-artists and student-athletes who had the opportunity to experiment with new resources alongside the professional design team from ALEX AND ANI, Celtics VIPs, and other volunteers.
Thanks to the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation and ALEX AND ANI | CHARITY BY DESIGN, our students had the once in a lifetime opportunity to hear from inspiring individuals who spoke of their own journeys toward successful and fulfilling adulthoods. Messages of the importance of education, hard work and competitive spirit were punctuated by personal stories of struggle that were not unlike the stories of those students in the audience. A more perfect panel of individuals could not have been assembled!
As the principal, the most fulfilling part of the experience was when, during the launch, a young man came to me with tears in his eyes and said, “I can’t believe this. I am so proud to be here representing our school.” It was a really a jump-for-joy moment for the principal of a new school with little history. He didn’t say he felt lucky, or excited, or happy to be there – he said he was proud to represent our school. I still get goosebumps every time of think of it, as we have certainly begun to turn things around.