Preparatory Academy for Writers
A College Board School
143-10 Springfield Boulevard, Springfield Gardens, NY 11413
Phone: 718/949-8405 • Fax: 718/525-8495

January 15, 2010

Dear Mr. Pancer:

On behalf of the students at Preparatory Academy for Writers, I want to thank you and the Comedy Hall of Fame Foundation for bringing such a wonderful and enriching program to our school.

Our students come from a number of different backgrounds; with one common thread, they have to deal with more spills than thrills in their lives. What your improvisational acting program has done in the short period of time is given these children an opportunity to reverse many of those negative feelings, and place them in an environment where they succeed. This is priceless!

Your program has given the students skills that will be utilized throughout their lives:

Increased listening skills
Observation as a tool in academic subjects
Better oral communication
The art of physical nonverbal communication
The wonder of self expression
Growth in public speaking
Teamwork
Commitment
Increased self esteem to name a few…..

I have watched shy kids flourish with increased confidence to stand and deliver, and class clowns develop their craft in a forum that encourages their natural talents.

It has been an unbelievable ride. Weekly, these words “do we have improv today?” exit the mouth of our students. After Christmas break when we came back to school, I heard these words, “when is improv starting up again?” That is a testament to your program by the toughest critic’s: young urban children.

I work with students who are so often disillusioned with school, who are having difficulties finding a purpose in their lives and their academics. Jeff this program has given these children something extraordinary in an environment where they see little purpose in and we thank you for this! Urban schools need programs that will engage students to want to be in school, your program not only engages them during the school day but they have returned on their own for the after school program. Congratulations!

Nothing showed their appreciation more than the day you came back to the school after the Christmas break and you were flowered with high fives, hugs, and a classic rendition of “Two, four, six, eight, who do we appreciate, Jeff…..”

As it is said, “exposure is the threshold of learning,” well, I have to say The Comedy Hall of Fame Foundation has championed this cause with children who really need it. Once again, from myself, our students, and school I send you a zillion thanks!

Sincerely yours,

Rich Spanbock

Richard Spanbock
Dean of Students