The East Harlem School Announces its Annual Poetry Slam

East Harlem School Announces its Annual Poetry Slam

New York, Thursday March 8th, 2007 - On Wednesday March 14th, The East Harlem School will hold its annual poetry slam. Every year, the students (grades 5-8) share their original works of poetry at an all-school contest before faculty, staff, and their peers. At the Slam, a panel of celebrity judges will select the champion in front of a crowd of over 200 guests.

The annual Poetry Slam is organized by The East Harlem School’s Young Volunteers Committee (YVC), a group of young professionals dedicated to volunteerism and philanthropy that furthers the mission of the School. The Slam has a strong following of supporters including a mix of young professionals in their 20’s – 40’s in the following industries: finance, fashion, advertising, entertainment, and media.

Admission to the event includes hors d’oeuvres and an open bar. The Master of Ceremonies will introduce each student poet who will then read and perform his or her original work. During intermission, guests are treated to The East Harlem School slideshow with remarks and acknowledgements from Ivan Hageman. The evening will conclude with the presentation of awards to the winning student Poet.

The Slam will take place Wednesday, March 14th at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers (West 23rd Street and Westside Highway) from 6:30 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.

** There will also be a drawing with great prizes!!

About EHS:
Since its founding 14 years ago, The East Harlem School has proven successful in educating children from throughout Harlem. Given the School’s resounding success, a growing number of board members, families, educators, and donors have encouraged the School to expand its facility and serve even more children in need.

With the guidance of the EHS Board of Trustees, Head of School Ivan Hageman, and administrative leadership, the School has launched a multifaceted $15 million capital campaign to build an expanded facility on the original Exodus House site. This will allow EHS to serve a total of 150 students (an increase of more than 150%) while enhancing academic and extracurricular instruction and providing the School with space to gather as a full community. Of this $15M campaign goal ($9.6M of which has been raised), $4M has been earmarked to create a permanent Endowment Fund for The East Harlem School, ensuring our fiscal health and program development. With the successful completion of this campaign, EHS will realize its strategic vision of constructing a permanent home that provides a greater number of children from throughout Harlem with our distinctive education, building and maintaining a general endowment, and creating, at scale, a model of early adolescent education that can and should be replicated by public or private schools in inner city communities throughout the nation.


Media inquiries should be forwarded to Jessica Aronin 212-876-8775 ext 304 and email: JAronin@eastharlemschool.org