Simpson Street Free Press seeking support to add high-speed Internet

 Simpson Street Free Press managing editor Deidre Green works with a student reporter. Simpson Street, which helps students develop writing and research skills, is fundraising to upgrade its Internet connection (Courtesy photo)

Simpson Street Free Press (SSFP), an award-winning student-run news agency with a focus on preparing its student for college, is asking the public for help to add high-speed (business class) Internet to its office near South Towne Mall.

Due to SSFP’s physical location, the cable company has to build a circuit to provide high-speed Internet. This will cost as much as $8,000. Of that, $5,000 will come from donations. The remaining $3,000 is being sought in an online fundraising drive through the website Start Some Good, under a tagline saying “Help Us Learn Faster.”

“This is the first time we have launched any kind of campaign like this. Earlier we received donations to run our programs,” said Claire Miller, design editor at SSFP. She added, “We request the people to help us gain access to modern high speed Internet so that we can expect more academic and college readiness.”

Simpson Street Free Press currently has 45 reporters, with about 200 students enrolled across off its programs. All of its reporters are either middle or high school students.

The group was founded in 1992, and in 2009, it won the National Coming Up Taller award, which honors outstanding programs in the arts and humanities.

Its innovative style of education, which is attempting to address an academic achievement gap faced by minority students, is seen as especially important in Madison, Verona and across Dane County

“Simpson Street has made an important contribution in this regard, teaching thousands of students over the last 22 years. Though there is still a lot to do,” said Deidre Green, the SSFP managing editor.

You can read Simpson Street’s work at its website. It is a partner of Madison Commons.