School Night 2009 was a Huge Success

I first learned about School Night 2009 from Jeff Travers, at Fight for Children who also sits on the Board of Directors with me at the DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative. This Jeff and the hard working team at Fight for Children welcomed 1,000 leaders in business, education, government, and philanthropy at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center to celebrate what's working well in education in Washington, DC. The Honorary Co-chairs of School Night 2009 were Mayor Adrian Fenty and Michelle Fenty and former Mayor Anthony Williams and Diane Williams. Fight For Children board member Patti Austin produced a dazzling evening of live entertainment featuring NATURALLY 7, Sheila E and the E Family, and Wyclef Jean! (photo provided by Mark Freeman above).

Proceeds from School Night 2009 support Fight for Children's Quality Schools Initiative. Fight for Children's Quality Schools Initiative encourages replication of high quality programs that improve student achievement in public, charter, and independent schools in DC. School Night celebrated Fight For Children's 2009 Champions of Quality - Capital City Public Charter School, Bell Multicultural High School, and The Washington Middle School for Girls. Fight For Children recently awarded each school a grant of $100,000 to use toward continuing their effective practices. Fight for Childrenwill work with each of these schools to share their successful programs with other schools through the city.