Principal's Suggestion Box Letter # 7

These letters are absolutely fictional (to protect the innocent and not-so-innocent.) But, with the hint of truth, maybe we can make some adjustments. Principals have the best chance to do that.

Dear Principal,

Just wanted to check in to see if I'm cleared to contact MLB and the (Your Team Here) Baseball Organization to see if they can send materials and maybe one member of the organization can come for a talk to the kids. What middle schooler wouldn't love this! I watch a lot of baseball, and it seems they are always doing something supportive for the community; I don't think our middle school is too far away for a drive. I've heard (Your Favorite Pitcher Here) lives not too far from here.

Thanks,
Enthusiastic Visionary Staff Member

These are just the top three results from a Google search: community activities MLB. I just know other sports have them, too!

Chicago Cubs Caravan
http://mlb.mlb.com/chc/community/charities/caravan.jsp 

Seattle Mariners Community Activities, including Education
http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/sea/community/programs.jsp 

New York Mets: Citi Kids
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/nym/community/programs.jsp

And here's a little of what my team does:

Buster Posey, S F Giants' catcher, giving away gloves. $25,999 of his own money's worth

S.F. Giants: Junior Giants and Round the Bases Reading Program

http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/sf/community/gcf/education.jsp

My suggestion: You have not because you ask not! Think big, get those emails and letters out. Have entire classes practice their letter writing skills--mail them to the White House, your Congressman, sports stars, writers, scientists, movie and TV stars, recording artists. Why not? How very fun that would be to have a visit. You'll at least get a response. Maybe the ASB could do it.
One year my sixth grade in Hawaii was studying the states--each student wrote to at least one governor, and received lots of adorable stuff. It was in 1993--a student wrote to Arkansas and received a letter and picture from Governor Bill Clinton. Hope she still has it!
In 2008, my 7th grade ELA classes watched the Inauguration on tv, and wrote letters to President Obama. I put them in a big envelope and mailed them off to Washington. Just before school ended, we received a lovely color photo and a nice letter from the President. The kids wouldn't believe it was from him, until I showed them the postmark from the White House. How cool. Works every time.