One School Making a Huge Difference

Those of you who know me, and/or have heard me speak, have often heard me say that one person doesn't change the world or, for that matter, do they even change one person. I have often remarked, though, that one individual or one group can be very influential; that is, they can make a real difference.

One such organization has done just that for the past four years. Since those early days after Hurricane Katrina, Hinsdale Central High School has been there to aid Schools Count Corp. and the many thousands of students we serve in various corners of the country. From collecting relief supplies to running fundraisers, Central has always been there.

The students and faculty at Central have been responsible for enabling us to bring hundreds of thousands of dollars of all sorts of supplies to New Orleans residents and schools.

Aside from various individuals, clubs, and sports teams, who loaded trucks in the days right after the storm hit, the following deserve special mention for conducting and facilitating various fundraisers; Art Club, Boys Soccer, Buildings and Grounds, Central's Bldg. Administration, current and former staff, French Club, Future Educators of America, Girls Soccer, Girls Volleyball, Habitat for Humanity, Junior Class Board, Music Department Jazz Ensembles, National Art Honor Society, National Honor Society, and Student Government.

Whether a car wash, a Mardi Gras Concert, collecting supplies or holding a soccer-tennis event, Hinsdale Central has always been there to help.

Many thanks,

Dick Flesher

HC Junior Class Rises Up

Too often in America today (as in the past) the tired refrain goes something like this..."kids today just don't care." Well, I have some first hand evidence to the contrary, many care quite deeply about the plight of others.

The most recent example of students who have a concern for others involves the Hinsdale Central High School Junior Class Board. The board, along with some like-minded seniors, have decided to undertake a service project. Mind you, this was not the brain child of the class sponsors; rather, the students themselves. To my delight they have opted to partner with Schools Count Corp and aid John McDonogh High School in New Orleans.

From the outset of this project to collect clothing and school supplies for the 560 students at McDonogh it was apparent to me that the HC class board was serious about making this a success. The class board developed an entertaining and informative power point to be viewed by all 650 juniors, made a detailed list of what each of the 27 homerooms should collect/donate and organized groups of students to make the pitch to their classmates. If you are wondering about the effort put into this you should realize that a number of students came into Central during winter break to put this project together.

Students are getting word of the service project on January 6th and the collection will occur on January 20th. All indications point to a wildly successful endeavor. Whoever says, and has said "that kids today just don't care" have it wrong when it comes to those who attend Hinsdale Central. Whether its a girls volleyball car wash, a boys soccer team soccer-tennis event, an HC Jazz Ensemble performance or the current service project, Central students have been there to support Schools Count Corp. They do care!



Thanks to one and all,

Dick Flesher

Grassroots Effort Pays Off Again!

It happens frequently with us here at Schools Count Corp. An individual here, a non-profit there or, in this case, a small group of high school students coming to the aid of others to make a difference.

Here's how it all unfolded. Nancy Schuessler, a volunteer with Schools Count, receives a phone call from a friend who wants to know if Nancy's daughter, Sarah, can perform "When the Saints Go Marching In" at a St. Isaac Jogues event. No problem right? Well, not quite!

Some sheet music was missing, time was short, some local band directors weren't exactly quick to respond to Sarah's plea for help and Sarah was having a bit of difficulty coming up with musicians to accompany her. Of course, all of this is taking place in the midst of school being in session!

Well, with Sarah's persistence, some help of her friends, and the timely assistance of Hinsdale Central's Jazz Ensemble Director, Jeff Waggoner, things started coming together. Jeff went so far as to make up the music arrangement when the sheet music wasn't there. Not exactly something that takes ten minutes to accomplish for a sax, trombone, tuba and trumpet!

With just a couple of days to rehearse for the Sunday event at St. Isaac's Alan Verona, Diana Kelterborn, Michael Sarantos, Elliot Wilm, Dan Wolf, and Sarah Schuessler had to practice on their own.

The event came off without a hitch. The 6-member band paraded around the St. Isaac Johes cafeteria playing music for parents who had gathered for a religious education program. The band then proceeded to gather a number of children from an adjoining room. With kazoos in hand, the St. Isaacs children enthusiastically joined the band as they re-entered the cafeteria to perform for the appreciative parents.

Due to the generosity of the Religious Education Office at St. Isaacs, the six students were well paid for their performance. Rather than keeping all the money for themselves, Dan, Sarah, Alan, Diana, Michael, and Elliot donated $160.00 to our charity! What unselfish and kind young adults. Imagine donating money to a charity, pulling the event together, helping St. Isaacs and donating their time and talents on a Sunday. Pretty special!

Our thanks goes out to the Religious Education Office at St. Isaac's, Jeff Waggoner, Mr. & Mrs. Bjeldanes, Nancy Schuessler, and, of course, the six students who made this happen.

On behalf of everyone at Schools Count Corp., please know we are grateful for you assistance and kindness.

Dick Flesher

5 Enables a Student to Thrive!

So just what does the above expression, "5 Enables a Student to Thrive" mean? Quite simply, every $5 donated, allows each student aided by Schools Count Corp to have essentially all the pens, paper, pencils, folders, binders and notebooks (not to mention other classroom supplies) for an entire school year! That's right for $5 each student has nearly all the supplies needed for each and every class.

Between our 'Go Green' recycling program and generous discounts from Walmart we are able to create such an affordable system of aiding students. In fact, most of the recycled supplies gathered from the 31 Chicagoland area schools turn out to be new or very close to being brand new. Students get materials in terrific condition!

I just want you to know that every dollar, every contribution makes a difference. Think of it, without these supplies, and your donations, a number of students may very well go without basic supplies. Now that is a recipe for disaster.

Many of you that check this blog are already donating your time, funds, and effort to this wonderful cause. Please take a moment and share this information with your friends and family. I'd also like to have you consider putting on your own fundraiser. Imagine even a 'small' fundraiser that generates $300. You'd be putting supplies in the hands of 60 students for an entire year.

This reminds me of a time two years ago when a group of 6 through 12 year olds in Vacation Bible School, on the East Coast, garnered contributions in a created way. The children collected pennies on Monday, nickels on Tuesday, dimes on Wednesday, and quarters on Thursday. They raised nearly $500 in four days! Not only is the total remarkable so to is the fact that I never had any association with the church or the children. It was an act of true kindness. It can be done.

Remember '5 Enables a Student to Thrive!'

Many thanks,

Dick Flesher

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