| ghout the country schools are suffering. Not only are | | | | sciences you can give a child a bit of your time and |
| schools dealing with teacher shortages, threats of | | | | help them succeed. It is important that you understand |
| violence, poor test scores, poor nationwide school | | | | that money isn’t everything, time can really be |
| rankings, and budget problems, they are also dealing | | | | more precious than gold. |
| with uninvolved communities. Why is an involved | | | | Donating Supplies |
| community a better place for a school? Well here are | | | | With falling employment rates and rising costs, many |
| a few reasons why getting involved with your area | | | | families just cannot afford the basics of school |
| school can seriously help. | | | | supplies. Donating reams of paper, boxes of pencils, an |
| Donating Money | | | | old computer or TV can actually help your local school. |
| Schools are one of the biggest non-profit systems in | | | | Schools in some areas are seriously struggling with the |
| the country. Schools depend on government funding to | | | | inability to afford classroom supplies. Many schools end |
| keep them afloat. When schools get poor test scores, | | | | up having to use outdated lab equipment, which may |
| poor reviews, or low overall rankings, their funding is | | | | actually prove to be dangerous. Schools are also |
| reduced. Many schools are fighting to keep after | | | | struggling to afford teacher supplies, which leaves the |
| school programs, art programs, and sports programs in | | | | teacher having to foot the bill for many of the things |
| neighborhoods where the families just cannot afford it. | | | | they need to teach your child. When the economy |
| Donating money to your area school can seriously | | | | suffers, so does the quality of education in our local |
| aide where aide is truly needed. If your school needs | | | | schools. Donating school supplies can really help make |
| money for uniforms, donate. If your school needs | | | | a difference in your community. |
| money for classroom or teacher supplies, donate it. If | | | | Donating Word of Mouth |
| your school needs money for an after school program, | | | | Believe it or not, schools don’t really like to |
| donate it. You would not believe all the things that can | | | | advertise their shortcomings. If you know that a school |
| be accomplished if one community just banded around | | | | in your community is in need, tell someone about it. In |
| its schools and gave. | | | | turn, that person may tell someone else about it. Soon, |
| Donating Time | | | | you may have many people all willing to help, but really |
| If you just don’t have the money to give, you | | | | not having an idea how to do it. Let your friends and |
| can give a little of yourself. Many schools have | | | | family know how to help the schools in the area. If you |
| booster programs that are designed to help the school | | | | know someone who owns a printing company, ask |
| make money through planning community events or | | | | them to donate some paper. If you know someone |
| running school bingos. If you have some time to set | | | | who loves math and has a few hours a week free, |
| aside, donate it to your school’s booster club | | | | ask them to help tutor a few kids from the math |
| and man a table at a carnival, sell candy bars at a | | | | classes. If you know someone who works in an office |
| football game, or pass out fliers regarding the | | | | supplies store, ask them to see about helping the |
| school’s next fundraiser. Donating time can be | | | | students get discounts on school supplies, and the |
| just as good as donating money. | | | | teachers a discount on their teaching supplies. Getting |
| Not only can you donate your time to help your school | | | | involved in your community schools really isn’t |
| earn a little money, you can donate your time as a | | | | hard at all. |
| tutor. Many kids fall behind due to larger class sizes, | | | | When your community gets involved, you won't believe |
| fear of being ridiculed, and lack of proper supervision. If | | | | the change that can happen in struggling schools. Get |
| you have time and brain power to donate as a tutor, | | | | up, get out there, and help the next generation get the |
| you can play a crucial part in the life of a child. If you | | | | education they deserve. |
| are good in Math, English, History, or even computer | | | | |