Lisamarie’s two children Jezmeriah (third grade) and Julius (seventh grade) are CSF Scholars attending St. Elizabeth School.
Q&A with CSF Parent Lisamarie
Lisamarie’s decision to send her son Julius to St. Elizabeth School
After sending her oldest child, Julius, to a public school for pre-school, Lisamarie realized that the overcrowded student population would hinder her child from receiving individual attention. Also, problems like bullying were often overlooked because of the lack of resources and staffing at the school he was attending. “Many kids in my neighborhood get lost,” said Lisamarie. She realized that she needed to change something. When they went on a school visit at St. Elizabeth, she found out about the Children’s Scholarship Fund, which could help her pay for Julius’ education.
Lisamarie’s experience at St. Elizabeth School
Currently, Julius is in the seventh grade and Jezmeriah is in the third grade at St. Elizabeth School. “I love St. Elizabeth and Principal Cunningham,” says Lisamarie, “They are like a huge family and the support they give my children is amazing. They keep an eye on all of the kids and I get a phone call anytime something happens.” Lisamarie credits the special relationship between Julius and Principal Cunningham for Julius’ progress.
Academic achievement and socio-emotional development go hand in hand in educating the whole child
Lisamarie says, “Julius is extremely bright and smart but his academic experience hasn’t come without some issues in testing and math.” However, when these issues arose, the teachers immediately alerted Lisamarie and put Julius in special programs. Julius will also be attending the school’s summer CORE program. Since Julius has been through some emotional obstacles and anger issues, the help of the staff and the extra measures the counselor and the principal take to spend quality time with Julius has been a tremendous help in his emotional and academic growth. For Lisamarie, meeting with the principal and the counselor regularly has been a weight off her shoulders.
Hopes for the future
What are some of Lisamarie’s hopes for her children’s education and future? She believes strongly that she wants her children to “know that the world is big and learn different cultures and broaden their horizons.” Part of that experience is going to college outside of New York and studying abroad. “I want them to experience things I never did and get outside the box. The most important things in life are experiences and memories.”
On the Role of CSF
With the support of her mother, Lisamarie works full time and goes to school at night (she is on her way to getting a degree in business management). Despite the busy schedule, Lisamarie recognizes the importance of parent involvement and devotes her weekends to supporting her children in school work and spending quality time with them. In fact, she said she can relate to them more now that she is also going to school. “We all have a goal together to get A’s and whoever gets the most A’s gets to pick a movie we all go and watch.” Even through the hardship she experiences in juggling so many duties, Lisamarie is grateful for the help that CSF provides. “I think the program is so great. Thank you so much providing me with these scholarships. I couldn’t send my kids to this school if it wasn’t for CSF.”
