The Heart of the School Fund provides grant funding for principal-identified school enhancement projects that support classroom instruction and student learning, staff professional development, and school site improvements. Some examples include beautification projects, outdoor classrooms, and community food pantries.

During the pandemic, when schools remained closed, the Heart of the School Fund focused on supporting COVID-friendly projects. Principal Tamika Daniels, then the new principal of Joseph C. Briscoe Academy, took a student poll to see what activities students would like to do to promote unity, self-pride, as well as help ease the anxiety and low morale that resulted from the lockdown. There was an overwhelming call from students to re-establish the school’s Bike Club!

Thanks to a discount from Race Pace Bicycles, the Heart of the School Fund was able to provide 5 bikes, helmets, and safety vests that the school intended to use for weekly rides throughout the summer. Check out our 2021 grantee spotlight story for more detail!

Three years later, the bike club is still going strong! The Heart of the Schools caught up with Principal Daniels and Mr. Sanders, the JCBA bike club advisor and Middle School Social Studies teacher, to hear how the club is doing:

“Well, I think it's great to give the students the opportunity to get out the building and they can relax and enjoy something that they normally don't get opportunity to. We explore different communities. We even went to D .C. and we try to just get them to experience something different, to exercise, and learn about bike safety and things of that nature, so I think it's a great addition to our program.” – Mr. Sanders

The club takes place every Wednesday, weather permitting, and they typically bike around Lake Montebello and Columbia Lake. It remains a popular after-school activity and every JCBA student gets the opportunity to participate.

When asked about the program, Principal Daniels had these wonderful words to say:

“One of things we love about the Heart of the Schools is that they always support our district. And so for us, we were on for the awardees for one of the grants that got us bikes. The kids will fix the bikes. So every Wednesday, our students travel out of the city or within the city to go bike riding for a half day. Mr. Sanders is the leader of that. He fixes lunch for them. They’ve been from Montebello all the way to DC riding the bikes. We appreciate the Heart of the Schools for all they do for inner city schools. Thank you very, very much.”

Check out some recent photos of the Bike Club below!

This is one of many examples of the outstanding projects principals are implementing through the Heart of the School Fund.