Phoenix Illini Club to support Excelencia Elementary School

Help us to support the 2nd glade class at Excelencia. They have adopted the University of Illinois this year. Any donations of materials would be kindly appreciated. Here is the letter that we received.

Dear Phoenix Illini Club,

My name is Brenda Barrios and I am a 2nd grade teacher at Excelencia Elementary School in central Phoenix.  As a teacher in a Title One school, I have seen the challenges that are presented to my students on a daily basis.  From language barriers to difficult home lives, school is often not a top priority, and sadly, many of my students will probably not make it past high school.  The idea of going to college is but a dream for many of my students. 

This year, my school has decided to tackle this important issue head-on.  We are currently undertaking a “College Bound” initiative, in which we have the dream that every single one of our students will not only go to college, but they will also be wholly prepared for this essential endeavor, through a rigorous academic curriculum and exposure to the wide range of universities available throughout the country.

In this initiative, each classroom has been assigned a different college, and my classroom was chosen to represent the University of Illinois. We will be discussing the University of Illinois and representing your fine university during school functions with the goal of creating a general enthusiasm about attending college in the future.  To accomplish this, my desire is to present my students with information and fun facts about the University of Illinois, in the hopes that they will not only see the importance of going to college, but also become excited about possibly attending your university.  I have perused your website already and have a good start on gathering information. 

I am writing to ask for your assistance.  I am specifically looking for pamphlets and small promotional items bearing the University of Illinois logo that would help me to both decorate my classroom and reward students for academic accomplishments and positive behavior.  Would your alumni association be wiling to provide some of these items for my class? Anything you can do to help, my students and I would greatly appreciate.

If you have any questions about our College Bound initiative, please feel free to contact me at 602-xxx-xxxx (work) or 602-xxx-xxxx (cell). 

Fondly,

Brenda Barrios
2nd Grade Teacher
Excelencia Elementary School
2181 East McDowell Road
Phoenix, AZ 85006