I remember sitting at a Churchill Elementary PTA meeting a few years ago with tears in my eyes voting to allow the PTA to use funds to help provide some students with items they are unable to purchase themselves; gently used coats, hats, backpacks, binders. It seems that for years, when a teacher saw a need like this, they would go out and get the item for the child themselves.
Now, the PTA was stepping in and all requests would go to the Principal and monies would come out of a special PTA budget. There was to be no discussion, no naming of children nor voting. The need was determined, approved and the item was purchased.
Just yesterday I received an e-newsletter from Hadley Middle School. It seems all the District 41 elementary schools were involved in this program now. It has been updated with a few tweaks. Each school is now assigned a two month window and requests from all over the district are filtered to that school’s Community Outreach volunteer list. The volunteers fill the request and if a volunteer can’t be found to purchase the item, then PTA dollars will be used.
By meeting the child’s basic needs, District 41 can increase the child’s chances to succeed in school. If you would like to help, contact your school’s PTA council and they can put you on the volunteer list.
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