This year, Orange Middle School 8th graders are partnering with the North Carolina Zoo and participating in a philanthropic project for which each homeroom will sponsor an animal from the NC Zoo. While concentrating on academic standards and excellence, we want students to gain values and experiences in addition to academics. The goal of this project is to show students the value of fundraising and the joy of philanthropy. 

Each Homeroom teacher has chosen an animal to sponsor:

• A. Stephens- Giraffe

• Cohen- Zebra

• Posada- Polar Bear

• Everett- Elephant

• Malloy- Otter

• Faulkner- Lion

• Harrington Rhino

Class T-shirts have been designed and are being sold to raise funds for the sponsorship of the animals and a field trip to the NC Zoo. Families can order as many shirts as they’d like, but students are being asked to at least have one they can wear on the field trip and for other 8th grade events. If a student needs financial support or if you would like to sponsor any 8th grade students, please reach out to Jessica Posada at jessica.posada@orange.k12.nc.us for information. We would like to make sure all students are given the opportunity to represent their 8th grade class. 

In addition to the t-shirts, families are invited to participate in open donations. All donations will go directly to the NC Zoo and zoo trip. There are different levels of sponsorship that can be found at: https://nczoosocietystore.com/adoptions/. 

To sponsor another animal, in the name of Orange Middle School, contact Liz Everett at liz.everett@orange.k12.nc.us. This would be ideal for larger groups, families, and community businesses.

**All sponsorship gifts and prizes awarded will belong to Orange Middle School**

The field trip will take place in the fall, with more information to come. While at the Zoo, students will have the opportunity to visit their sponsored animal. Students will use the information gathered at the Zoo to complete a scientific research project later in the year. 

The prices:

• $35 per student T-shirt (covers T-shirt, NC Zoo trip and animal sponsorship)

• $20 per additional shirt

• Open donation

Thank you for your support, 

Orange Middle School 8th Grade Teachers!