NOLA Public School Progress

Sure there is a long way to go before the New Orleans public schools get to where they need and want to be in terms of seeing to it that students get the best education possible. But since Hurricane Katrina hit NOLA in 2005 many public and RSD (Recovery School District - another type of public school system) have made great strides.

Don't let the pundits, naysayers, or advocates of private and
charter schools tell you any different. Schools Count Corp has served many public schools and we have seen first hand the strides made by these schools over the past four years.

Though I prefer to look at schools in many other ways than test scores, about the only way that too many people assess the quality of a school, in today's age, is to look at test scores. Be that as it may, lets take a close look at how the public and RSD schools we delivered to this past August performed on the Louisiana state test called LEAP.

We delivered supplies to 23 public and RSD schools this past August. Of those 23 schools, 14 have had there doors open to students for at least the past two years. Since the schools have tested for two consecutive years there is an opportunity to examine the LEAP scores. The other 9 schools have not been in operation for two years so there is no current LEAP score basis to determine a change in student results.

Here's what we know about the 14 schools with regard to LEAP scores. ALL 14 showed an improvement in student test scores from one year to the next. Also, the average percent of growth, of the combined 14 schools, was 51.6%. Quite remarkable!!

I wanted to point out this growth for a number of reasons. First, these schools, contrary to what some people say, are helping students. Second, these schools have made positive changes to the education they provide to students since the hurricane. Third, non-public schools aren't the only ones getting the 'job done.' Finally, relative to Schools Count Corp., we can take some satisfaction knowing that the resources we have provided to NOLA schools has gone to good use.

With your continued support we can see to it that students are well served and that they will continue to make progress in terms of receiving the best possible education! It is obvious that what everyone associated with Schools Count Corp has done has made a difference.


Many thanks,
Dick Flesher

Christmas Wish List

Schools Count Corp is always looking for ways to aid children in need. Throughout the time we have served schools in various parts of the country, we have brought the joy of music to any number of students by providing them with access to various types of instruments.

The holiday season is always full of music of all sorts! Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa are all celebrated during the month of December. Whatever your taste in music, it abounds at this time of the year.

This brings me to our Christmas Wish List! Everyone has a wish list at this joyous time of the year and Schools Count Corp. is no different!!

Schools Count Corp. will help Live Oak Elementary School, in New Orleans, establish a music program in 2010. The school has an Arts Enrichment Program, including a music component, but it currently is in need of music intruments. We have already collected a few clarinets and saxophones but are in need of additional instruments (trumpets, saxophones, trombones and more).

If you have an instrument(s) in good working condition and would like to donate it to the drive we would welcome your donation! Remember, we will gladly write you a gift receipt for tax purposes (the conclusion of the 2009 tax year is just days away) should you donate an instrument. By the way, we'll gladly pay for the cost of shipping.

If you are interested in helping Live Oak Elementary, or have questions, please contact Dick Flesher at (630) 863-6035 or email Dick at rich219@comcast.net.

With your donation, Live Oak Elementary, at this time next year, will be playing all the wonderful music that we all annually enjoy. Many thanks for your consideration. Happy Holidays!

Thanks,
Dick Flesher

Happy Thanksgiving

Dear Friends,

Since the first Thanksgiving in 1646, Americans have long celebrated the abundance and plenty provided to her citizens. Many have enjoyed this bounty through sheer sacrifice, hard work, and great determination. In a sense, these qualities are as much a time honored tradition as is Thanksgiving Day.

So too have millions, in our recorded history, gone without even the barest of essentials. Whether going without proper shelter, needed food, warm clothes, or vital resources for an adequate education, many Americans, like yourselves, have stepped up and offered your services; labor, time, goods, or dollars to help someone in a bind, someone hurting.

As far as Schools Count Corp. is concerned, each volunteer, each donor, and each supporter is critical to our efforts to aid school children in need in various corners of the United States. Because of you thousands upon thousands of young people are receiving school supplies that will enable them to get a decent education. They will have a better chance of enjoying the bounty that is Thanksgiving.

You are the backbone to these efforts and the reason Schools Count has been able to aid so many. I am truly grateful for all that you do in the cause of supporting school children. When faced with the stark reality of helping, you have always stood up and been there when you were most needed. I am most appreciative.

May you, your families, and friends have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Kindest Regards,
Dick Flesher

KIKK Stalwarts - Eric Loebig and Jack O'Donnell

Just who are Eric Loebig and Jack O'Donnell, the two Hinsdale Central H. S. varsity soccer players who coordinated the KIKK fundraiser for Schools Count? Well, one look at their soccer resumes and other interests will tell you much about them and how they were able to raise in excess of $6,400.00.

Both Eric and Jack are seniors. In terms of their careers in soccer at Central, each was a standout. Eric, a midfielder, and Jack, a keeper, were starters on this year's varsity team that made it to the 'Sweet Sixteen' in the IHSA State Tournament. Both were named All-Conference players in the West Suburban Silver Division for the 2009 campaign. Eric and Jack were joint winners of the Coaches Award which honors players for their all around play.

Their HC exploits don't end on the pitch. Both Eric and Jack are recipients of the 2009 All Conference Academic Award. What this means is that both players had at least a 4.0 GPA. Quite an accomplishment indeed.

Let's take a look at what makes Eric and Jack tick beyond school. Eric loves his music. The Third Eye Blind is his favorite band. Aside from soccer Eric enjoys wakeboarding, snowboarding, ice hockey, golf, and surfing. Though Eric has not yet made a final decision in terms of where he will attend college, his choices have been narrowed down to the University of Missouri, Dayton, Miami, and Iowa.

Jack O'Donnell also, like most teenagers, enjoys his music. For Jack, though, there is more to it than merely listening to his favorite songs. He plays the guitar and drums and currently performs with two bands. Aside from music Jack loves watching all types of college and professional sports. Jack currently has a gig on HC's WHSD radio station on Thursday mornings. His show is a political satire called "The Americans." Jack hopes to attend DePauw University upon graduating from Central.

These are two players who clearly have their act together, both on and off the soccer field. From my perspective, there is no way the KIKK fundraiser would have been such a wonderful success without their leadership.



Many thanks,

Dick Flesher

KIKK Nails a Golden Goal!

In soccer the most exciting goal is a game winner called a 'golden goal.' The hugely successful Hinsdale Central High School soccer season may have come to a close (Sweet Sixteen!) but everyone associated with the program notched its own version of a 'golden goal' with the KIKK fundraiser!

The soccer-tennis event combined the tourney in September with a number of other team-oriented initiatives throughout the season. What an event it was!!! The final tally indicates that a staggering $6,468.71 was raised through cash contributions and the donation of various goods!!! A 'golden goal' indeed!!

Seniors Eric Loebig and Jack O'Donnell (I'll have more to say about these two in a later posting) were responsible for spearheading this effort. Everyone got in on the action. Participants included players on the various HC teams, the Boys Soccer Boosters Club, parents who weren't part of the boosters, and a number of local businesses.

So hats off to the following!!!

Family Donors: Arnold, Bucheleres, Cole, Grasso, Hetke, LaRocque, Legan, Loebig, Meyer, O'Donnell, Oleferchik, Oleszkiewicz, Pincus, Marshall Reavis, Scott, Virgili, and anonymous.

Business Donors: Campus Colors, Chipotle, Clarendon Hills Bank, Domino's Pizza, Egg Harbor, Klepacki & Associates, Kramer Foods, Soccer 2000, Stockholm Objects, Traffic Control Corporation.

Hundreds and thousands of students in New Orleans, and elsewhere, are the beneficiaries of your generosity! To one and all...what a game winner!!

Many thanks,

Dick Flesher

HC Habitat for Humanity Aids Students

Yes, the typical high school Habitat for Humanity organization works to help families obtain affordable housing. This is something that the Hinsdale Central High School chapter has done for many years! But the HCHS Habitat Club goes well beyond their work to build homes in West Virginia.

On Friday, October 23rd the members of Habitat, at Central, held a Chili Dinner in the high school student cafeteria on the evening of the last home football game. It was a smashing success!! So much so, that the organization was able to raise funds for its 2010 trip to West Virginia in addition to donating $1000.00 to Schools Count Corp for its continuing work to help students in need in New Orleans.

To the club sponsors and students who are members of Habitat for Humanity please accept my profound thanks for such a generous donation! Please know that your effort and service in helping others makes a real difference.

Dick Flesher

Branche a Hit at Appreciation Dinner

Four and one-half years after Hurricane Katrina, Benjamin Banneker's talented Principal, Cheryllyn Branche, brought her message of hope, revival and thanks to one hundred and five donors and volunteers at the Appreciation Dinner on Oct. 26th.

To hear Cheryllyn was a treat in itself as donors and volunteers got to hear, first hand, the problems and issues facing schools and those, like Cheryllyn, who operate the schools. Cheryllyn discussed funds which have not yet found their way to NOLA, overcrowding, the confusion created with a myriad number of types of schools, and the issue of state testing which has a number of ramifications.

To say that Cheryllyn is optimistic in light of state wide and city wide challenges is an understatement. Her assessment of Banneker's needs, the care with which she attends to her staff and student needs, and her willingness to give her all in the name of public education was made abundantly clear. To a person, those in attendance found a person who was humble, able to articulate current problems and had a sense of where she wanted to take Banneker. Those in attendance heard a person who is optimistic and willing to tackle the problems at hand.

Many walked away from the dinner with a sense that what they had contributed to Banneker, and other NOLA schools, has indeed been put to good use. Since that evening a number of donors and volunteers have contributed more funds to Schools Count. Two families were so moved by Cheryllyn's words of hope that they have pledged to go to New Orleans in 2010!!

One thing is certain, our commitment and concern for Banneker and her students remains strong.

What a night! What a lady!

Dick Flesher