Issue 41
Schools
Running Low on Supplies
Due to past and anticipated future budget reductions, the HUSD schools
are currently operating on minimal operations budgets. These reductions
affect not only the school and district offices, but the classrooms as
well. All of the schools are in need of everything from basic office
supplies (pens, pencils, file folders, etc.) to tables, chairs, desks,
projectors, and teaching materials. Each school has prepared a Wishlist
of needed items which can be found on the school’s website. Go to
www.husd.com to find an index to these lists.
One of the biggest needs is copier paper. The cost of
producing photocopies is quickly approaching half of each school’s
operations budget (which doesn’t include salaries). All of the schools are
cutting way back on copying and paper supplies. Only the most important
documents may be copied. Assignments and worksheets now must be copied off
the board instead of being handed out to students.
How can the community help? Parents can send a ream
of copier paper to school with their student. They can ask their student
to request a specific wishlist from their teacher (if it isn’t already on
the website) and then work to fulfill those wishes. Businesses can send a
case of copier paper or other office supplies to their nearest school.
Everyone can check the school wishlists regularly to see if there are any
items that would be easy to donate.
What other things can be done?
- Ensure the greatest possible school attendance by
your student. Schools receive state funding only for those days that
students actually attend school. Students who miss school for any reason
(health, vacation, doctor’s appointment, etc.) cost the schools precious
funding. Students need attend only for a few minutes each day to qualify
as having attended. Unless your student is truly ill, make sure that he
attends at least a partial day if possible. And schedule vacations for
non-school days.
- Make a specific donation to your local school
earmarked for office supplies (or any other area that you’d like to
support). The office supplies purchase order will then be increased by
the amount of your donation allowing the school to purchase what they
really need.
- Sign up for Escrip. This FREE program brings money
to local schools when members shop at Safeway and other participating
stores. Sign up by sending your name, address and Safeway card number to
lwurlitzer@prodigy.com or to Escrip Program, 925 University St,
Healdsburg. There is no cost to you and once you are signed up, you’ll
receive periodic reports of the funds being donated in your name.
Everyone in town should be signed up. And aunts, uncles and grandparents
all over the country should be signed up.
- When shopping online, begin at
www.schoolpop.com. You select a local school there and then continue
to do your online shopping. A percentage of your shopping dollars will
then automatically be sent to the school of your choice. You register
yourself and your school choice the first time you visit – from then on
it recognizes you when you return.
- There is still time to participate in the
Healdsburg Education Foundation’s Adopt-A-Class program. You may donate
$250 directly to your child’s classroom to be spent as the teacher
wishes. See the Foundation’s website (www.helpfoundation.com)
for more details.
- Support all local school fundraisers. Each school
puts on regular fundraisers during the year to raise funds to supplement
regular state funding. Whether it’s a spaghetti dinner, magazine sale,
gift wrap sale, $1 a Week Program, or car wash – please support the
school fundraising efforts whenever possible.
Please pitch in and make a difference for your local
school.
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