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Our School is Awesome
Two local realtors and a non-profit organization funded the production, which was released on YouTube in late August.
- dsashin, CNN iReport producer
WASHINGTON D.C., Sept. 11, 2012 --- One District of Columbia public school - Orr Elementary - has generated excitement and opened dialogue with their unconventional video dispelling pervasive myths and
countering negative stereotypes about youth in impoverished urban settings in America.
Orr students and staff take an unorthodox approach to establish a positive school climate, build social, emotional and intellectual proficiency, and show the global community that the opposite prevails for most youth stigmatized by geographical location and schools with limited resources.
The video was financed by Orr's continuous efforts to build partnerships with national and international entities to provide services and unrestricted funding to ensure all students learn what they need to be
competent, productive adults in a highly competitive and global economy.
Orr students are cognizant of the negative environmental influences that are literally on their playground, which is shared with the entire community during the morning, afterschool and weekends. It's one of the
few places for neighborhood children and families to gather and play.
The rap lyrics depict how awesome students feel about themselves, their school, parents, teachers and more. In the video, a fourth grader raps:
"Proficiency doesn't happen mysteriously - we take math and reading very seriously
Like a dinosaur we study hard core - when we step through the door we get challenged more."
Orr students know education will break the cycle of poverty and unemployment that ravishes the community in Ward 8 - less than four miles from the White House. Ward 8 which has the highest unemployment rate in the nation according to Bloomberg.com.
Regardless of budget cuts and environmental factors, Orr staff has a slogan: "We do whatever it takes!"
Visit http://www.orrelementary.org to learn more.
countering negative stereotypes about youth in impoverished urban settings in America.
Orr students and staff take an unorthodox approach to establish a positive school climate, build social, emotional and intellectual proficiency, and show the global community that the opposite prevails for most youth stigmatized by geographical location and schools with limited resources.
The video was financed by Orr's continuous efforts to build partnerships with national and international entities to provide services and unrestricted funding to ensure all students learn what they need to be
competent, productive adults in a highly competitive and global economy.
Orr students are cognizant of the negative environmental influences that are literally on their playground, which is shared with the entire community during the morning, afterschool and weekends. It's one of the
few places for neighborhood children and families to gather and play.
The rap lyrics depict how awesome students feel about themselves, their school, parents, teachers and more. In the video, a fourth grader raps:
"Proficiency doesn't happen mysteriously - we take math and reading very seriously
Like a dinosaur we study hard core - when we step through the door we get challenged more."
Orr students know education will break the cycle of poverty and unemployment that ravishes the community in Ward 8 - less than four miles from the White House. Ward 8 which has the highest unemployment rate in the nation according to Bloomberg.com.
Regardless of budget cuts and environmental factors, Orr staff has a slogan: "We do whatever it takes!"
Visit http://www.orrelementary.org to learn more.
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