From Jennifer Waldorf of D58
O’Neill Middle School is in the running for a $100,000 grant from U.S. Cellular, and with just a few days left to vote, it seeks community support to climb to the top.
The school is participating in this year’s Calling All Communities grant competition, in which the top 10 schools receiving the most votes from supporters will receive $100,000 each.
Voting runs through Friday, Jan. 15. To vote, O’Neill supporters can visit any U.S. Cellular store, stop by O’Neill, located at 635 59th St., to pick up a voting code, or e-mail science teacher Sarah Pinkus, who is spearheading the effort. Voters will need to provide their e-mail address and home address to ensure one vote per person.
“Growing up, I attended Fairmount, O’Neill, and Downers Grove South, and I think this is just such a wonderful community. I would absolutely love to see this grant money come to Downers Grove, and I hope residents will rally behind us and help make it happen,” Pinkus said.
All U.S. schools are eligible to participate; as of Dec. 30, O’Neill was ranked in the top 100, in 57th place—and Pinkus hopes they’ve moved up even further since then. There are so many ways O’Neill could use the grant money, she said, and if it wins, the school most likely will form a committee to review project and purchase requests from staff.
“The amount of support we’ve seen so far has been truly amazing, and we hope enough people will cast their votes for O’Neill to put us in the top 10,” Pinkus said.
Is there a direct link to the place to vote?
Here’s a link directly to the site:
http://uscellular.rsys1.net/servlet/website/ResponseForm?NlJlkOEwkhth_9hKL_0Llmpgn_.40hkt
You’ll need to specify O’NEILL MIDDLE SCHOOL and the zip code, 60516
The Lemon Tree is rooting for you O’neill Middle School!
Welcome back, Tim. What’s the news from The Lemon Tree?
I just tried the link, and instead of the name of the school, it asks for “the 7 digit promo code found on the postcard.” Any suggestions?
Okay, here’s the deal. You need a voting card, which has the magic seven-digit number. You can pick up a card at O’Neill, any U.S. Cellular store or via e-mail from Ms. Pinkus (spinkus@dg58.org) and then go on the site at the link above to cast your ballot.
Hope that helps.
$100,000 for any school would be great… but just an inside word from OMS. Sarah Pinkus is in charge of the OMS Garden Club which is looking to renovate the OMS courtyard. A project that she says is quoted at $80,000. (Waaaay too much money for something volunteers could do in a summer). If the $100,000 goes to that, I would be very worried and upset.
The money should go to something that will enhance student learning, not something that’ll look nice (especially in a recession). It sends the wrong message to the community.
I emailed her to question her how the money would be spent, but I received no repsonse. However I have heard that US Cellular pretty much hands you a check and lets you do whatever you want with it. I hope OMS wins this money, and I hope it is spent responsibly.
EJ – Would you be willing to ask her if the money is going to be spent on the courtyard or if it will be spent on something like technology, or school repairs?
How about ‘Well…’ if you are concerned that the money will be misspent, then don’t participate. If US Cellular does not limit the use of the funds and the school admin thinks that applying all or some of the funds toward it is a good application of the funds, then let them.
I think the admin will use it wisely in these times or any other times we might be experiencing.
Greg,
I agree if you don’t like what the money is going towards don’t vote. I guess I don’t get the lack of common courtesy in sending a response to an email and answering the question.
The money from the contest IS NOT only for the courtyard! If or when we win, the building’s staff will apply to use part of the money. There will be a committee set-up within the school that will determine how the money is used.
The $80,000 quote was more of what we would like to do if money were no object. Mrs. Pinkus has already started to “beautify” our school with her garden club. They will continue to do more work in the spring.
As far as Sarah not responding to e-mail, I can tell you that right now she is overwhelmed by e-mail requests for voting codes. I am confident that she will respond as soon as she is able.
If you are out and about, please stop in to US Cellular stores and ask for cards. Even if you have already voted, we can use the cards for others that e-mail requesting codes. If you get some cards please drop off in main office at the school.
Thanks & GO OMS!!!
It’s fair to ask how a grant will be spent. I also quite understand that Mrs. Pinkus is swamped trying to provide codes to everyone who has heard about the competition via this blog and other venues. It’s also customary in cases such as this for the decision about spending grant money to be made at the building level, not by a single teacher.
Dear “Well…” and other readers,
I do not remember ever seeing an email from you in my email inbox. I am sorry if you feel that I was purposefully not responding. That was not the case.
Yes, I am in charge of the Garden Club. And, I dream big. This U.S. Cellular contest is big and I think sometimes it is good to start big even if you end up small.
As I was quoted above, if the school wins the school would most likely “form a committee to review projects.” Nothing would be my decision. It would be the administration’s responsibility.
I hope this helps answer your question. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Ms. Pinkus,
Thank you so much for coming on and responding.
Apology owed should not have jumped to any conclusions.
Sarah Pinkus, I just received a flyer that was handed out by one of your young teachers at O’Neill. Please send me the seven digit voting code, if you want me to vote by the end of the day. Thanks, Bill