Last year, the students, teachers, staff and parents of our Downtown Elementary school created the Borinquen Backpack Project to send much-needed supplies and relief aid to school children in Puerto Rico following Hurricane María. After filling 400 backpacks with supplies and books, the school took on a letter-writing campaign to urge political leaders across the country to help those affected by the natural disaster in any way possible. One of their letters reached the Governor and First Lady of Puerto Rico, Ricardo and Beatriz Rosselló, who were so moved by their efforts that the First Lady decided to thank the students in person during her next trip to New York City. That visit took place last month at Downtown Elementary!
During her visit with the DTES community, Primera Dama Beatriz Rosselló sat with the Project’s delegates to thank them for helping the students at La Escuela Luis M. Santiago who received the backpacks and supplies. Brimming with excitement and inquisitiveness, the student delegates made clear their concern for their Puerto Rican friends and asked how the First Lady would continue to provide the school (and others like it) with the assistance they still so desperately need. Mrs. Rossello responded to their honest questions by promising to visit the school and personally ensure it receives continued support.
