It Can Be Done...

This week, I read one of the more inspiring stories involving a child that I have read in recent months. The story involves basketball icon Steph Curry and a 9 year old California girl who used the power of social media in a positive manner. For those that haven't seen/heard of this yet, the story can be found here, but the lowdown is that the young girl wrote a letter to Steph Curry; simply asking why his new shoes weren't available on the Under Armour website for girls. What happened from there, you can most likely figure it out. The amazing thing is that a 9 year old was able to take to Twitter in a positive way to simply advocate for young girls everywhere and make a simple request to a powerful person that she had never met or spoken to. The outcome was positive for everyone, including those just using social media to stay in touch. In a society where most adults use social media to bash others, criticize, and put people down without maybe knowing them or without having details; a 9 year old was able to understand social media and use it correctly to benefit many. The old concept of getting more with honey than vinegar, is alive and well in California. Social media, as evidenced by this simple story (and there are many more occurrences of positive social media than just this one), can be an amazing tool for children and adults alike to work together for positive change and support of each other. Many feel that social media has simply become an arena for bullying and negativity, which causes many not to use it. However, it can be utilized in a positive manner and we simply have to want it to be used that way. Rather than taking to social media to complain, criticize, and bash Steph Curry and Under Armour; this young lady chose to ask why the shoes weren't available and asked for the basketball star to talk to the company about making them available on the girls' section of the website. The result was a multi-BILLION dollar company making an adjustment to their sales pages within minutes. Beyond just that, the collaboration and learning that took place far outweighs the simple fact that a young girl made a difference. It can be done people... we just need to choose to want social media to be a positive tool rather than a cesspool of hate and intolerance. Follow her lead, and it can be done.

Strough Holiday Craft Bazaar

On Saturday, December 8th, Strough Middle School will be hosting the Strough Holiday Craft Bazaar from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the school. It's a great opportunity to get some homemade holiday trinkets for either yourself, or as gifts for family and friends. For more information, please see their flier HERE. We hope to see you there!!

Breakfast with Santa

On Sunday, December 9th, the RFA Travel Club will be hosting a Breakfast with Santa fundraiser from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the RFA cafeteria. Tickets for the event are $6.00 and can be purchased at the door. Children ages 5 and under eat free and all proceeds benefit the Travel Club and their upcoming trip this Spring. For more information, click HERE and we look forward to seeing you for a great pancake breakfast on December 9th!

Painting Class Fundraiser 

On Friday, December 14th, the RFA Junior Class is hosting a painting class fundraising event in conjunction with Kts Art and Design of Rome, NY. From 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. you will have the experience of creating a masterpiece that you didn't know you were capable of creating. Reservations are required and the donation is $45 per painter. For more information, including information on how to register, please see the image below. 

Christmas in the City Event

Life Church of Rome, NY will be hosting their second annual Christmas in the City event this coming Friday and Saturday, December 7 and 8, from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. each evening. The event will be held at the former NYS Armory, located at 1110 Black River Blvd. During the event there will be an interactive Christmas village, live caroling, local artisans, food trucks, treats, and live animals. Christmas in the City is a FREE event and for more information, please visit their website at www.lifechurchny.com/christmas

Wreaths Across America

The Rome City School District and Rome Free Academy have received the honor of being asked to host a Wreaths Across America transfer event at RFA on Monday, December 10th beginning at 3:30 p.m. Wreaths Across America is a national event where donations of wreaths are made and laid at Arlington National Cemetery (as well as many other cemeteries nationwide) for our fallen soldiers of conflicts dating back to the Revolutionary War. This particular exchange event is sponsored by Walmart as they have four truckloads of wreaths traveling the country on their way to Arlington, Virginia. The event at RFA will honor local veterans and involve our own RFA JROTC unit. We are grateful that Walmart has requested RFA as a location to perform the truck exchange so that our students and community can be a part of an amazing event. Please feel free to stop by! For more information, please see the flier HERE.

RFA Class Holiday Window Competition

In conjunction with our local JCP, who is a tremendous supporter of our local education, families, and students; each of the individual RFA cohorts has decorated a holiday window display at the local JCP as a fundraising event. The window paintings will be on display throughout the holiday season and you can vote for your favorite window in the store. The winning class will receive a $200 donation from JCP. Thank you to JCP for sponsoring such a fun event which brings the school and community together during the holiday season.  Students from each class volunteered their time and creative ability to design the best windows for Rome, so make sure to get out and vote for your favorite!