The Mission

Don't let the mass media confuse you or mislead you. There is evidence of underforming schools in this nation but I can tell you, from my interactions with plenty of inner city schools, there is much good taking place. There are plenty of terrific teachers, students, and principals within the New Orleans and Chicago Public School systems.

The fact of the matter is this...I have observed more effective, kind and thoughtful teachers than ineffective ones. I have seen teachers within inner city neighborhood schools in New Orleans and Chicago challenging students to make more of themselves. Very few of these great teachers complain or whine, they just do their jobs.

The general public needs to understand that the typical teacher just does his/her job to the best of his/her ability. I have witnessed it on many, many occasions.

One other matter...I am tired of everyone complaining about how our system of public education is failing. Failing because our scores aren't as good as our counterparts in India or China? Every country has certain expectations of its own cultural, societal and educational institutions. There is no need for us to replicate Chinese education nor the Chinese to duplicate ours.

Our mission remains the same; to give students a great experience and for teachers to give their best. As long as this happens, Schools Count Corp will do its best to facilitate schools whose mission is to achieve such excellence.

Many thanks,
Dick

Volunteer Opportunities!!

Looking for an opportunity to do some community service and to 'pick up' someone's spirits? Want to make a difference? Well, here's how you can help!!

Next Saturday, February 19th and Sunday, February 20th Global Hope and Schools Count Corp will team up to paint all of the hallways in Tanner Elementary School in Chicago. Imagine the kids coming back to school, after President's Day, and seeing the whole school brightly painted!!!

Just bring yourself, and a friend or family member, and some energy along with your willingness to pitch in and help the Tanner school community. You won't need any painting supplies as Global Hope will provide all the materials. We will paint from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm both days. Simply bring a sack lunch and join in the fun! Please email me at rich219@comcast.net to let me know that you can join us.

This is a great opportunity to aid a school looking for a way to make the students feel important and welcome. A fresh coat of paint can certainly do that. I hope you can make it!

Thanks,
Dick

Your Donation at Work

Since we are in the midst of our annual donation drive called 'Drive to Help Schools Thrive,' it is worth noting the working power of your contribution. As I have noted on other occasions, 100% of your donation goes directly towards supplies needed by students. None of the funds pay for the administrative costs of running Schools Count Corp.

For each $6 donated, each children receiving supplies will get enough supplies to last for at least one half of the school year! Yes, $6 goes a long way. Thanks to the non-profit, Kits4Kidz, we are able to obtain terrific pricing on the products we purchase.

The money collected, through your generosity, goes towards pencils, pens, colored markers, colored pencil, notebooks, filler paper for binders, binders, rulers, scissors, folders, school uniforms, and glue. Every child, in all the schools we serve, has access to the above supplies depending on their need.

Rest assured, Schools Count Corp is appreciative of your donation and will do everything possible to maximize your contribution.

Please accept my thanks for all that you do!
Dick

Drive to Help Schools Thrive

Each February-March period Schools Count Corp endeavors to reach out to volunteers and donors who have supported us over the years. We also welcome new participants to join the work of our charity.

The first two days of our annual fund raising campaign have brought in $800.00 in cash contributions, a fantastic two-day total!!! Our goal is to raise $10,000.00, this spring, through our 'Drive to Help Schools Thrive.'

I want our donors and potential donors to know that each and every dollar raised goes directly towards purchasing all types of needed school supplies for students who desperately need the materials. None of the funds go toward transportation, hotels, mailing, food or various types of administrative costs. As such, you can be confident, no matter how much you donate, your funds will be put to great use. Remember, not only are you enabling children to receive an education, your donation is 100% federally tax deductible.

Should you desire to learn more about Schools Count Corp, our various initiatives in Chicago and New Orleans schools, our volunteer opportunities, and how you can help please contact me at rich219@comcast.net and I will be pleased to chat with you in addition to sending you some information.

As our charity grows, the opportunities for young people will expand and that is an exciting prospect. I hope you'll consider joining forces with us.

Thanks for you support!
Dick

Haiti Update

Since Schools Count Corp. helped to rebuild IMN School in Darbonne, our volunteers and donors have always taken an interest in the events surrounding the school and the many affairs of the island nation. Here's some of the latest news...

Yesterday, Schools Count mailed an $895.00 check to Haiti Partners. In turn, these funds will immediately be provided to IMN School Director Maxandre Bien-Aime as he finalizes the last part of school reconstruction.

Sadly, there have been over 4,100 deaths to due to the cholera outbreak. Another 210,000 cases of the disease have been reported in the country. Though the death rate has slowed a bit, it is still, nonetheless, not close to be under control as of this writing.

The political situation in the country is still muddled on a number of fronts. Though the final phase of balloting for President is set for March 20th it remains unclear about the possible impact 'Baby Doc' Duvalier will have on the election. Added to the mix is the likely return to the country of former President Aristide. He was granted a passport to return to Haiti and most people feel he will return to his homeland. So the run-off between Mirlande Manigat and Michel Martelly on the 20th is on but, the likely presence of two former leaders may have some impact on the outcome of the voting.

We appreciate all that you have done to help the children at IMN!

Many thanks,
Dick

All That Jazz, Part II

Aside from encouraging you to go to the Mardi Gras Concert on Feb. 22nd, as I did yesterday, I want to convey some other sentiments regarding the extraordinary efforts made by everyone within the HC Jazz community.

First of all, there are the musicians. For each of the students to give up an evening, during the week, to perform a benefit concert is truly remarkable! Students have plenty of homework and after-school activities. For the dozens of musicians to donate their talent and time is simply remarkable and I am grateful for their 'giving' to our charity and the students we serve.

Next are the parents. The HC Music Parents Association does all kinds of wonderful things to help us make this event such a smashing success. The parents generously give of their time to decorate the cafeteria and they provide all of the refreshments FREE so that 100% of the admissions to the concert goes directly to Schools Count. This is an amazing gesture. Finally, the parents provide much of the energy in terms of setting up the cafeteria in addition to 'manning' the concessions.

Because of the above-mention generosity of so many within the HC Jazz community, we are able to help many more deserving students than would otherwise be possible.

Many thanks,

Dick

All That Jazz

Tuesday, February 22nd marks the fourth consecutive year that the Hinsdale Central High School Jazz Ensembles will be performing to benefit Schools Count Corp. The Mardi Gras Concert will feature all three HC Jazz Ensembles in a lively night club setting that celebrates this festive season while raising funds to assist school children in New Orleans and Chicago.

Tickets for this popular event are $5 per person or $10 for the entire family and are purchased at the door. Remember, if you have an instrument that is no longer played, and you wish to donate it, then you will receive a charitable tax deduction in addition to gaining free entrance to the concert!! The concert will be held in the Hinsdale Central High School student cafeteria starting at 7:00 pm.

This promises to be a memorable evening on many fronts; terrific music in a wonderful atmosphere, free refreshments, and the opportunity to aid students in need. Finally, it will be one of the last conducting performances of Jeff Waggoner (HC Jazz Director and teacher) as he is retiring at the conclusion of the current school year. I am absolutely certain you will find the event entertaining, relaxing, and most enjoyable. Hope you can join us for jazz at its best.

Please know that I am most grateful for your support or our many initiatives over the years!

Many thanks,
Dick