In the past few years, Dalton has settled nicely into its role as a safe haven for the underdog. Our zero-tolerance policy and strong support network make it the only safe place some students have.
But lately, some of you may have noticed a lot of very promising students struggling with tuition costs. However, for many kids here, Dalton is one of the few places they can get the support they both need and deserve.
I for one am unwilling to watch these amazing people slide back into the self-destructive spirals and the cruelty of other schools which many of our more vulnerable students are simply unequipped to handle, and which they shouldn't have to handle. Every child has the right to a secure environment, appropriate support and freedom from fear. Not every child can afford it. Whether it be parents struggling to pay tuition, a sudden change in circumstances or, as I have seen more than once in my tenure here, teenagers thrown out on their ear by their parents for their sexuality, their beliefs or their individual traits. In short, frequently those who need what Dalton offers the most are frequently those who can afford it the least.
I realise I'm preaching to the choir here, so I'm going to keep this short. Recently an independant bursary fund has been set up to help just such individuals, but unfortunately funds are very, very short (as some of you may know, paying even one student's tuition on a teaching salary is not the easiest thing in the world!).
WE NEED YOUR HELP.
Any donation, no matter how small, will go entirely to helping these vulnerable kids continue to recieve the care and security they need. Checks can be made out to the Dalton Bursary Fund and given to Connie, or you can donate anonymously or otherwise via Paypal here. Pass the message on to your friends and let's help make Dalton's support network available to the people who really need support.