Many of you love to do volunteer work on behalf of those in need. A good number of you have been kind enough to assist Schools Count and for that I'm most appreciative. Here are some upcoming events and opportunities for you to assist us in the coming year! Just email me at rich219@comcast.net to get in on the excitement of the various initiatives.
Feb.2, 2013: Painting a portion of Lowell Longfellow Elementary School in Harvey, IL
Feb. 12, 2013: Donor/Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. FREE!! 6:30 - 8:30 pm at Hinsdale Central H.S.
March 8, 2013: Bowl A Thon at Willowbrook Lanes, 3:30 pm to 6 pm
March, 2013: Annual Donor Drive
April 30, 2013: Hinsdale Central Jazz Concert. More details to follow!
May 20 - June 7, 2013: Go Green School Supply Drive. Always looking for more schools to join this effort in addition to having people help me load trucks. Lunch provided!!
Aug. 6, 2013: 8:30 am to noon. Load trucks at 20048 S. Kohlwood Dr., Mokena, IL. with school supplies. Great lunch provided to all of our workers
Aug. 7-9, 2013: Deliver supplies to CPS and Harvey, IL schools
Sept. 15, 2013: KICK at Hinsdale Central H.S. 2pm to 5pm
Oct. 14 - Nov. 27, 2013: Winter Wear Collection Drive
Dec. 11, 12, 2013: Deliver coats to CPS and Harvey, IL schools
Looking forward to a banner year and the ability to work with you on so many important endeavors!
Thanks,
Dick
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
School Success - Many Needs
There are no easy answers when it comes to a student being successful in school. And contrary to what many Americans believe, there isn't a single answer to overcoming learning obstacles or achievement. Too often we look at one event, though important, and offer a single solution to its existence.
The most recent being the shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School. It could be at any other school in our nation. A school shooting, sadly, occurs and we jump in and say that there either ought to be more gun control or the appearance of more weapons on the school grounds.
In fact, there are many more issues, weapons certainly should be part of the discussion, that ought to take hold when discussing the larger issue of safety. School safety being but one factor in the greater picture of student and school success.
There are almost too many topics to list when it comes to this point. School safety, neighborhood safety, parent involvement, the culture of too much violence in the country, learner characteristics, poverty, crime, employment, the role of the school, and more weigh in on whether a student and school are able to make strides. By the way, all of these play at least some part into why weapons find their way into places we don't expect them to exist.
Sadly, until we come to this conclusion we aren't likely to make much progress.
Dick
The most recent being the shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School. It could be at any other school in our nation. A school shooting, sadly, occurs and we jump in and say that there either ought to be more gun control or the appearance of more weapons on the school grounds.
In fact, there are many more issues, weapons certainly should be part of the discussion, that ought to take hold when discussing the larger issue of safety. School safety being but one factor in the greater picture of student and school success.
There are almost too many topics to list when it comes to this point. School safety, neighborhood safety, parent involvement, the culture of too much violence in the country, learner characteristics, poverty, crime, employment, the role of the school, and more weigh in on whether a student and school are able to make strides. By the way, all of these play at least some part into why weapons find their way into places we don't expect them to exist.
Sadly, until we come to this conclusion we aren't likely to make much progress.
Dick
Monday, December 24, 2012
Just Thinking
When I consider the poverty stricken schools in this country and think about those areas we serve that have been devastated by natural disasters or afflicted with a lack of funds, I can't imagine not working with them. The opportunity to work with the children and adults in these schools is most rewarding.
It's rewarding in the sense that children light up when they get new supplies. Parents are appreciative that someone reaches out to their sons and daughters and offers a bit of assistance when the Moms and Dads wish they had the means to do so.
Whether providing daily supplies, art materials, band instruments, winter coats or uniforms, I know that the kids are all the better off. I wish I could convey to you the hundreds of teachers who gave me a hug or firm handshake and said a warm 'thank you.' It is the rule not the exception.
To those who struggle to achieve, to the many whose dreams we can't possibly know about and to those working each day to be successful in school, may this holiday be full of much happiness. And to those of you who extend your kindness in support of these students, may you realize the joy of the season.
Many thanks,
Dick
It's rewarding in the sense that children light up when they get new supplies. Parents are appreciative that someone reaches out to their sons and daughters and offers a bit of assistance when the Moms and Dads wish they had the means to do so.
Whether providing daily supplies, art materials, band instruments, winter coats or uniforms, I know that the kids are all the better off. I wish I could convey to you the hundreds of teachers who gave me a hug or firm handshake and said a warm 'thank you.' It is the rule not the exception.
To those who struggle to achieve, to the many whose dreams we can't possibly know about and to those working each day to be successful in school, may this holiday be full of much happiness. And to those of you who extend your kindness in support of these students, may you realize the joy of the season.
Many thanks,
Dick
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Christmas Wish List
A good number of teachers and schools could really use some help this holiday season (and beyond). Various student and teacher supplies are always needed. Often we have to buy such supplies from our own personal funds. We could use some help with clothing as we have a school uniform requirement. Many of our families have difficulty finding the jobs and funds to meet this urgent need.
We really could use nurses, social workers, and school psychologists on an every day basis. Our children's health needs, like any place in America, are critical and have a real bearing on school success. Sometimes these people are in the building just a couple of days each week.
Our after school programs could use some tutors, coaches and mentors. We can usually get the get to stay for help but some additional resources would be appreciated.
These are real needs and the general public may not be aware of the nature of the absence of many of these resources in many of the schools served by Schools Count Corp. Any assistance would be appreciated.
Many thanks,
Dick
We really could use nurses, social workers, and school psychologists on an every day basis. Our children's health needs, like any place in America, are critical and have a real bearing on school success. Sometimes these people are in the building just a couple of days each week.
Our after school programs could use some tutors, coaches and mentors. We can usually get the get to stay for help but some additional resources would be appreciated.
These are real needs and the general public may not be aware of the nature of the absence of many of these resources in many of the schools served by Schools Count Corp. Any assistance would be appreciated.
Many thanks,
Dick
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Not Here!
Our charity works with numerous schools in areas where there are too many guns and far too much violence. These are areas that need more peace and fewer weapons. Just ask the residents, teachers, administrators and civic leaders if they want more guns on the street or anywhere else in the neighborhood. These people want fewer guns and more safety.
We owe it to these people to bring up their children and educate them in an environment that is nurturing and free of guns.
Dick
Friday, December 21, 2012
Made my Day!
Everyone has had a day where some person, act, or event 'made their day.' I had just one such day yesterday as I was delivering some holiday cheer, on behalf of Schools Count, to a family at Holmes Elementary School in Harvey, IL
Before providing some gifts to a family who had just lost their Father to cancer, the youngest daughter approached me, with a huge and warm smile, and politely gave me a sucker. We hadn't done anything for the family, up to this point in time, but the little 1st grader made me feel like I was the one receiving a gift.
I will never forget this kindness nor meeting the family consisting of the Mother and three girls. All they could say was 'thank you' and 'God Bless you.' These sentiments were just as genuine and sincere as the sucker the girl gave me.
The gift she gave me will always be in my heart. Yes, Mia made my day!
Dick
Before providing some gifts to a family who had just lost their Father to cancer, the youngest daughter approached me, with a huge and warm smile, and politely gave me a sucker. We hadn't done anything for the family, up to this point in time, but the little 1st grader made me feel like I was the one receiving a gift.
I will never forget this kindness nor meeting the family consisting of the Mother and three girls. All they could say was 'thank you' and 'God Bless you.' These sentiments were just as genuine and sincere as the sucker the girl gave me.
The gift she gave me will always be in my heart. Yes, Mia made my day!
Dick
Thursday, December 20, 2012
That's a Switch!
Yesterday the Chicago Public School's Board of Education, along with CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett, approved just two of the five proposed charter schools. The two, along with previously approved charters, will open in the fall of 2013.
What is different this time around is that a couple of the charters were deferred, something that has never taken place when charters have been proposed in the past. In part the deferred schools were given that status as there are questions about where the schools would be located in additions to other considerations.
One of the more thoughtful comments made about school closings came from 3rd Ward Alderman Pat Dowell who said that "you can't rationalize the closing of neighborhood schools without rationalizing the closing of charter schools." She has a point there considering the mixed results of charters.
If schools need to be closed, due to a shrinking student population, why do they necessarily have to be the traditional neighborhood public schools? Indeed!
What is good to see is that a number of alderman aren't simply interested in rubber-stamping school closings or the opening of new charters.
Dick
What is different this time around is that a couple of the charters were deferred, something that has never taken place when charters have been proposed in the past. In part the deferred schools were given that status as there are questions about where the schools would be located in additions to other considerations.
One of the more thoughtful comments made about school closings came from 3rd Ward Alderman Pat Dowell who said that "you can't rationalize the closing of neighborhood schools without rationalizing the closing of charter schools." She has a point there considering the mixed results of charters.
If schools need to be closed, due to a shrinking student population, why do they necessarily have to be the traditional neighborhood public schools? Indeed!
What is good to see is that a number of alderman aren't simply interested in rubber-stamping school closings or the opening of new charters.
Dick
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
