Mountains of Supplies!

This photo should give you some sense of the enormous influx of supplies that we've picked up from the various 8 schools in Naperville, 2 in Lockport and 13 in Elmhurst.  The garage is literally flooded with 200 boxes of supplies!!

We still have at least 12 more schools to collect supplies from over the next week.

In all the years we've been collecting supplies I have never, ever seen so many binders, colored markers (literally thousands of them) and scissors!!

Thanks, Dick

On to Elmhurst!

As Memorial Day has come and gone, much remains to be done to pick up school supplies at the end of the school year.  Today we are going to all of the schools in the Elmhurst district.  I have a 16' truck and I am bound to fill it up to the most part.

Our pick ups are part of the 'Great Donation Day' which is organized by Barb Lonergan.  Not only are school donating supplies to our charity but plenty of other products are recycled throughout the day.  People can drop off used tools, television sets, printers, golf clubs and the much more.  The whole idea is for the community to pitch in and donate.  Not only are we helping others but the donations keep things out of landfills.

Just think of the good we can do if communities followed such a great tradition as the 'Great Donation Day!'
Elmhurst always does their part to aid Schools Count.  Funny how the Elmhurst supply drive has grown from the days of one single York HS student getting a couple of schools to donate supplies to us.

Many thanks!
Dick

In Full Collecting Mode

Heading out to Naperville to pick up supplies from some of the feeder schools.  This is the fourth consecutive year that these schools have donated student supplies to our cause.  These schools have been incredibly faithful in term of helping schools in New Orleans, Joplin, MO and Chicago.

Steeple Run, Naperville Central H.S., Prairie Elementary and Kingsley Elementary will be visited today.

What I find amazing about these schools is the fact that they donate huge amounts of supplies, are well organized and they are so easy to deal with.  I have almost 40 schools to get to over the next two weeks and each of these schools - busy as they are at the end of the year - always work around MY schedule.  Amazing!!!

I will head back out to Naperville next Wednesday and pick up additional resources.  This gives you some sense that the district and community totally support our work!

Thank you,
Dick

Supplies are Rolling In

I made my way to Lockport East High School on Monday and Lockport Central on Tuesday and found a treasure trove of school supplies.  Thanks to Sarah Steinke at East and Sarah Smith at Central, we came up with a combined 50 BOXES of supplies!!

As I start counting, boxing and storing these I have found that there is a huge mass of great supplies.  Among the donation are over 375 great binders and 420 spirals/notebooks.  So far I have counted over 300 folders and there many more to be counted.

Plenty of pencils, markers, locker supplies and loose leaf paper are still to be cataloged!

Just imagine if a majority of the suburban school students took part in this program.  Can you imagine how many children, who go without these basic supplies, would be helped by acquiring these free supplies?  It would be incredible.

Okay, it's off to the garage!!

Dick

Bits and Pieces

As the school year winds down in the various parts of Illinois and other parts of the country where Schools Count Corp is assisting I thought it appropriate to say a few words.

Our donors and volunteers have done our very best to effect positive change in the various schools.  They have done much to run charity events, raise funds, collect coats and music instruments, load trucks, collect school supplies, contribute money and to donate their time.  I am blessed to have such wonderful people be part of our effort to assist those in need.

I have had the great pleasure of chatting with principals, visiting schools, seeing the vibrant students, and otherwise keeping up with the progress of various issues affecting education.   In most cases what I witness is an eagerness, on the part of teachers, to teach and the same effort, put forth by students, to learn. 

Sadly, I have seen the closing of good schools, the firing of principals who can lead any school and am confronted with bureaucratic institutional decisions that fly in the face of common sense and decency.  Throughout the country, in too many impoverished areas, there is a real move to privatize public education and that is a horrifying and sad truth.

But in the classrooms we serve I see nothing but positive growth.  It is so fulfilling to work with the many people who realize that if children receive a proper education and are pointed in the right direction then there chances for success grow.  It may be the one event that sustains this charity and my individual commitment to see to it that ALL children are not left behind.

The struggles continues but the road ahead is bright.

Thanks,
Dick

A Note from New Orleans

Below is a note I received from Cheryllyn Branche the Principal of Banneker Elementary in New Orleans.  It conveys her sentiments about the gratitude felt towards our charity.  I thought you would find it both heartfelt and moving.

Dear Friend,

I have thought about a response everyday since you wrote to tell us of your continued work and the decision you were going to have to make, at some point. For six years, you and your team have helped us to "hold it together" when it seemed there was nowhere to turn. You let us know there are "angels in our midst", even though our midst expanded to Chicago.

Remember, you guys gave us wings, when we didn't even know we could fly. Now you have to do the same closer to home and we have to use our wings. In the same way you supported our children and this city, we have to figure out how we can do that for others. We are aware of the horrific devastation experienced by our neighbors to the north and I pray your incredible work brings them an eternal spring. Our hats are off to you and all of the team.

As we wind down this school year and reflect on the gifts only God could give, we can only count the blessings of a tenacious group of committed folks who resolved to bring hope to us over a six year period, not just uniforms and supplies. We may not get any more tangible gifts but, hope and friendship remain, never to be taken away.

Tell Dawn and the team, we love you guys and could never thank you enough. Continue to spread your joy, your hope and your gifts. The Banneker Family knows the joy and has experienced the benefit of your giving and we are eternally grateful.



With Love and Admiration to all of you,
Cheryllyn
Cheryllyn M. Branche, Principal
Banneker Elementary and Middle School
421 Burdette Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70118
sch: 504.373.6203

'Go Green'

As the school year winds down, many suburban schools are participating in our 'Go Green' recycling of perfectly good school supplies that will be part of our initiative to help some 40 CPS and Chicago area children obtain supplies for the start of the year in August.

Here's a list of those schools who have committed to helping in the next couple of weeks.  The students, clubs and advisors deserve a good deal of credit for helping us while keeping the materials out of landfills!

In Naperville the following schools are assisting us; Steeple Run Elementary, Kingsley Elementary, Prairie Elementary, Elmwood Elementary, Highlands Elementary, Ranchview Elementary, Ellsworth Elementary and Naperville Central High School.

In the Darien, Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills area the following schools are collecting; Clarendon Hills Middle School, Prospect Elementary, Hinsdale Central H.S., Maercker Elementary, Westview Hills Jr. High, Eisenhower Jr. High, Lace Elementary, Lakeview Elementary, and Delay Elementary.

Both Lockport Central H.S. and Lockport East H.S. are part of collection efforts.

Elmhurst District #205 is help in a big way.  Here are ALL 13 schools aiding our collection efforts.  They include; York HS, Bryan Middle School, Churchville Middle School, and Sandbury Middle School.  The following 9 elementary schools are also assisting us and include; Edison, Emerson, Field, Fischer, Hawthorne, Jackson, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Madison.

Thanks to all of you!
Dick

A New Partner

Hinsdale Central High School is set to become the first school to actually start a club that will support our charity.  The name of the club is Students Assisting Students (SAS) and it will hold its initial interest meeting early next week.

The club has a variety of ideas that they hope to implement in order to assist Schools Count Corp with our important work.  Among the ideas floating around are; a rummage sale to raise funds to buy supplies, helping to collect school supplies at the end of the school year, assisting SCC with running a concession stand, attending the March bowl-a-thon, sponsoring a 'Winter Walk' to raise money and much more.

I can think of nothing better than having a group of students who are willing to support our charity in order to benefit of other students.   I know many students at HC are grateful for what they have and I applaud them for being so willing to share with others.

I'll be sure to keep you posted on the upcoming activities and successes of the club.

Thanks,
Dick

Of Concern

I know of a couple of teachers who are seriously considering leaving the teaching profession.  These are terrific instructors who have proven themselves and typically go the 'extra MILES' on behalf of the students.  Why on earth would they call it quits after just a few years in the classroom?

The people I am speaking about care about the students and aren't burnt out!  They are fed up!  They have every right to be fed up.

They are tired of having multiple lesson within a single class period.  They are fed up with the enabling behaviors of other adults who place demands on teachers that are simply not reasonable.  They are fed up with the growing irresponsible behavior of a growing legion of students who have told a number of teachers that 'they are there to put up with them.'  They are simply drained of every ounce of energy that the dozens of daily 'demands,' many trivial, required of them.

There's much more to it than the above but suffice it to say that the tremendous effort they put into teaching doesn't seem to be reaping rewards.  By the way, these teachers who are looking at walking away from the profession are upset over pay and benefits.  Quite the contrary.

Until and unless school boards, building administrators, parents, unions, and other agents of education get a grip on the onerous demands placed on educators you will see a spike in those calling it quits.  

It is sad to see so many good teachers leaving education or thinking seriously of it.

Dick 

Good News from Haiti

Below is a note from Erik Badger of Haiti Partners.  As many of you know Schools Count Corp., Global Hope and Hope4Haiti joined efforts to help rebuild IMN School after the January 2010 earthquake.  IMN has done many marvelous things in the span of slightly more than two years.  Seeing Maxandre Bien-Aime, the principal, growing the school and community is a wonder.  This latest development is some more great news.  Here's the note from Erik...

Just as a kind of mini-update, IMN, in partnership with our 3 other partner schools in the area, has received a loan for $250,000 to support the creation of a poultry business. Bids are being considered for construction now and construction should begin this summer. We'll be sharing more about this on our website once construction begins but i thought I'd let you in on this big development. Social business for school sustainability is an important part of the partner school model and we're very excited to see it beginning to take shape!

Dick

More than a Little Alarming

Recently there has been a good deal of discussion about teacher pensions, length of service needed to earn ones retirement income, school reform and more.  Lost in the discussion is a more vital concern and issue dealing with the great teachers continuing in the profession.

I know a good number of terrific teachers who are getting fed up.  I'm not talking about getting fed up with legislative demands; rather, getting fed up with or tired of some of the day-to-day problems. 

What good teachers tell me is that teaching is no longer merely teaching a class but it is teaching mulitiple classes within a class period!!  Different lessons for 'different' children, making multiple tests for the same class, meeting multiple people about multiple children within the same class period.  It's getting insane.

It's no longer a matter of having a set standard for a class or subject and the students work to meet that standard.  Today's teachers have to create different standards, assessments, and objectives for lots of students.  It is quite simply too much.

Many of these fine teachers relate to me that the amount of enabling and adjustments that must be made are simply overwhelming and out of control.  Sadly, some great young teachers are talking about getting out of teaching rather than staying in for the duration.

That my friends, is more than a little alarming.  We can't allow this condition to persist.  We need these bright and energetic people in the classroom.

Dick

CPS Contract Talks

Even though the CPS lunchroom workers got a 2% pay raise for each of the next two years, that should not lead one to think that the teachers and CPS are anywhere near settling.

Last year CPS reneged on a 4% raise for the current year then offered a 2% raise for next year.  That was to be followed by a one year pay freeze only to see the succeeding three year pay increases based upon merit.

With the district looking at a $700 million debt, one finds it difficult to believe that a deal will be reached anytime soon.

Currently, schools are in session 375 minutes per day and next year an additional 75 minutes will be added to the school day.  So instead of a 5 hr., 45 min. day, children will be in school for 7 hours.  No doubt the CTU (teachers union) feels justified in asking for a fair raise given the fact that teachers will be in the classroom for a greater period of time.

This seems like a perfect storm, perfect for a strike.  Being in debt, adding significantly to the length of the school day and seven unions seeking a contract all adds up to a recipe for a rough start to the 2012-13 school year.

Dick

Stupid in America

Yes, 'Stupid in America' conjures up all sorts of negatives about public education in the United States.  This is a program narrated by John Stossel.

Sadly, it is a program tainted by innuendo, inferences and to few facts.  The long and short of the program is this; unions and bureaucracy cause many of the problems in public education, charters schools work, public education is failing our children and tenure is bad. 

Let me debunk some of this nonsense.  First, there are good and bad charters as well as good and bad traditional public schools.  Stossel gives the impression that charters are the only viable option for a child receiving a decent education.  Plenty of facts are out there pointing out the shortcomings of some charters as well as illustrating the strength of many traditional public schools. 

Stossel is intent upon bashing unions.  That's where we are in America.  The reality is that the vast majority of unions do an excellent job of advocating positive practices in education or other professions.  By the way, having been a teacher for a good period of time, I can tell you that when a district wants to get rid of a poor teacher they often do so well before they receive tenure.

In terms of schools failing, allow me to offer this.  When a school fails, there are plenty of people responsible for its lack of success; the community environment, a lack of jobs (with a decent tax base), parents, a culture and cycle of hopelessnes, students, and more.   Don't pin a schools lack of success on the school alone.

Education is a hell of a lot more complicated than Mr. Stossel thinks.  Methinks Mr. Stossel ought to really reconsider the name 'Stupid in America.'

Dick

All Aboard

Yesterday I mentioned that Barb Lonergan of Elmhurst was coordinating our 'Go Green' effort in that suburb.  Well, little did I know, until I delivered boxes and zip lock bags to her house, that Barb had convinced all of the schools within District #205 to join the cause.

The following have joined in our effort to bring school supplies to CPS and Chicago area schools:  York High School, Bryan Middle School, Churchville Middle School, and Sandburg Middle School.  The following elementary schools are also 'on board:'  Edison, Emerson, Field, Fischer, Hawthorne, Jackson, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Madison.

To one and all within District #205...THANK YOU!!

By the way, should you be available, I could use some help picking up these supplies on both Friday, May 25th and Tuesday, May 29th.  If you have the time and are so inclined to volunteer simply email me at rich219@comcast.net and we'll coordinate the days events.

Dick

Shout Out

There really are some caring people out there.  Barb Lonergan is just one such individual.

Barb isn't what you would call a friend or even someone that I have been close to over the years.  In fact, Barb and I usually cross paths just once a year when it is time to collect school supplies. 

This Elmhurst resident typically conducts a recycling day once a year within the community.  She simply does amazing things for our charity.  Barb contacts schools, asks them to participate in our 'Go Green' program, locates a person in each school to coordinate the event, provides them with boxes, gives them a list of needed supplies, and arranges the days for me to pick up the supplies.

This is no small feat to pull off!  Barb has nine Elmhurst schools committed to participate in our school supply collection drive this year.  Nine schools!!  That is truly amazing.

Aside from collecting these school supplies Barb also collects all types of other products that otherwise would end up in a land fill or otherwise pollute the environment.  Many of these products are in good enough condition to use again.

I am extremely proud to partner with Barb Lonergan and appreciate all that she does to benefit the students we serve.  Yes, one person can and does make a huge difference.

Dick

No Amount is too Small

I have had donors, potential donors and interested parties tell me that they are sorry they "can't do more" or that what they are giving is "a small amount."  Nothing can be further from the truth and here's why.  Whatever someone donates of their own freewill, that is from the heart, is not insignificant.

Whether you  can contribute cash, volunteer time, school supplies, music instruments or some other valuable commodity that can be used by children is valuable.  Never underestimate the power of one gift, one donation, one hour of work or a kind word.

Too often too many people avoid even a single act of kindness.

Our charity and the people we serve are grateful for each and every gift received from our donors.   I am ever appreciative of each and every person who makes an effort to help a child in need or a school lacking sufficient supplies.

I, for one, will always cherish those who "wish they could do more!"

Thank you,
Dick