Our Recent Journey to NOLA

Two weeks ago, August 7-9, was our sixth consecutive trip to New Orleans to assist the schools as many of them, contrary to what some may think, are still feeling the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

Over the span of these six years we have served 43 different NOLA schools, most of them public and RSD but, at times, we have assisted charters and a good number of schools in St. Bernard Parish.

During our most recent delivery we delivered student supplies to 12 schools. I noticed a fair number of schools being either reburbished or rebuilt. Obviously, that is a great sign.

Sadly, though there are some events that are still troubling. Some schools that have served students are now closed, Gregory and Carver Elementary are a couple that come to mind. Also, as these schools have been shuttered, it means that other public schools are often overcrowded, even more so than in past years.

Too often, families see their children split up because of the overcrowding. A second grader may attend one school while his/her brother or sister who is in the fifth grade may have to go to a distant part of the city because there is no room in the fifth grade of the school where the second grader attends. This means that there are long bus rides, families running around the city for parent-teacher meetings and the like. How on earth can a family of three childen possibly deal with two or three different schools. It's just plain wrong.

As in the past we found hard-working students, staff and principals. They quietly go about their work in spite of severe handcaps and hardships, many of them imposed upon them without their asking.

To these people we want to say, thank you for again allowing Schools Count Corp to work with you. We find it incredibly motivating and inspiring to see your dedication and hard work pay off.

Have a great year!
Dick