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2002 Newsletter
February, 2003
Hello Friends,
On behalf of the Hello Friend/Ennis William Cosby Foundation and the Cosby Family, thank you for your interest.
As a graduate student, Ennis Cosby wrote,
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“I am soon to be a teacher who can influence change by my experiences as a victim of the system. I believe that if more teachers are aware of the signs of dyslexia and learning difficulties in the class, then less students like me will slip through the cracks of the system. I believe in fairness within the system. I just want all students to have an equal opportunity. I have a lifetime to devote to making the school system more balanced in any way I can.” | |
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Ennis’ words have guided the development of the Foundation, and his vision gives us many things to celebrate. This past September, our third group of NYC public school teachers (kindergarten through second grade) began their studies in the Ennis William Cosby Graduate Certificate Program at Fordham University Graduate School of Education. This brings the total number of students who have participated in the program to eighty five, and the number of New York City children working with these teachers during the past three years to 2100. Virtually all of the teachers work in high needs schools, and roughly 60% of the teachers in the program are African American, Latino/a, or Asian. Last January, our first group of twenty Cosby Scholars received their Graduate Certificates in a ceremony at Fordham Univerisity. Here are selections from speeches given by three Scholars.
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I dreamt of becoming a teacher, but not just a traditional teacher. I wanted to become a teacher, I wanted to become a leader who made changes. I wanted to reach children in the ways that I wasn’t reached when I was in school, when I had teachers who didn’t quite believe in me. The Ennis William Cosby Scholarship was the opportunity of a lifetime.
I vowed when I left the military that I would become an elementary school teacher so I could help young people to get off to a good start in life. Well, let me tell you that being a kindergarten teacher in the South Bronx is a far greater challenge than any I had in the military. I have learned that being a good teacher requires more than just desire. The Ennis William Cosby Certificate Program was an answer to my prayers. It is written that to whom much is given, much is required. I sincerely believe that we’ve been given a lot over the past year and a half in this program. We’re now required to respond more accurately and more effectively to the very need s that we’re now faced with. With our new knowledge comes authority – our sphere of influence goes beyond our own classroom and our own kids, and extends to all the kids in our schools, making New York City a better place for all students. |
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Erika Cosby addressed the Scholars “you’re all worked very hard, putting in long hours, making my brother’s dream come true. I know Ennis is smiling – actually beaming – right now. It’s been a joy for me and my family to watch this unfold.”
We have continued our collaboration with Scholastic Book Clubs in an exciting project which brings libraries to under-resourced classrooms across the country and books to children who don’t have books at home. By this spring, more than half a million books will have been distributed to schools and children in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, the Mississippi Delta, Washington DC, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Dallas. We will also have sent more than 1500 individual libraries to teachers across the country. We wish we could share with you the thousands of letters from teachers, principals, and students, the photographs and cards, the drawings, and the book reports that we have received. One teacher summed it up:
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Thank you so much for the incredible classroom library. My students adore their new books! I've watched several of them glide their fingers over the smooth, crisp pages and smile as they smell that unforgettable smell of a brand new book. Thank you for giving my students this incredible gift! |
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Our film, Ennis’ Gift: A Film About Learning Differences has been shown for the past year on HBO, reaching millions of viewers. Last November, the film received a Literacy in Media Awards 2002 for Outstanding Achievement in Television Specials. The film is described as “a national treasure” by Tom West (author of In the Mind’s Eye). One person wrote “I laughed, I cried, I said ‘amen’ and I rejoiced that this is now available for use in our work.” Ennis’ Gift is available for purchase by individuals for $29.95 plus shipping and handling by calling (800) 343-5540. It would make a wonderful gift for a teacher, school, friend, or family member.
Last spring, we held our third New York City fundraiser with an unforgettable program that featured Aretha Franklin. Our next event in New York is planned for the fall—stay tuned.
We thankfully celebrate each one of you who have helped the Foundation continue its work in Ennis’ name. We want to do our best to insure that every child in this country is capable of participating fully in a world that desperately needs their positive contributions. Our commitment is to meet that challenge.
Much remains to do. Throughout the country, nearly 40% of our children are left behind in learning to read, and in schools filled with at-risk children, that figure may reach 70% to 80%. All of the accomplishments that we shared with you are the direct result of those who have participated in our fundraising efforts. We hope that you will continue to support our efforts to bring the joys of learning and possibilities of achievement for all children.
Sincerely,
Joel Brokaw
Chairman of the Board