Proposed state budget cuts to education would have the greatest impact on the state’s poorest school districts, according to an analysis by the Education Law Center, an advocacy group for public education.
In some cases, cuts per student at urban schools would be 10 times higher than for their wealthier neighbors.
When looking at the students who attend schools in urban districts, these are the very children who benefit most from the support services that are being cut.
As educators, we must be advocates for students. While facing budget cuts, we must not lose sight of student learning and growth.
October 19, 2010
September 28, 2010
Back to School Adventures
Wow! What a busy time of year for most families, teachers, and educational professionals! I am proud to announce that Project SOS helped facilitate the donation of over $10,000 in school supplies for various back to school supply drives! Additionally, Project SOS provided professional development to numerous teachers during the teacher report days. Together, we all can make a difference in the lives of children!
August 5, 2010
Poverty and Education
A recent report found in Pediatrics indicates that poverty may negatively impact a child's development but if provided with resources and support, the developmental delays the children experience can be attenuated.
The new study, published online April 12 in the journal Pediatrics, involved more than 7,000 children aged 4 months to 3 years who were brought to urban primary-care clinics or hospital emergency departments for care.
These children were less likely to have normal growth, health and development -- or "wellness" -- if their scores were higher on an index that evaluated hardships.
Dr. Deborah Frank reports, "We know that deprivations in early life can become biologically embedded, forcing children onto negative trajectories that jeopardize their health, their school readiness and their ability to earn a living as adults," (2010). "We also know that the remedies for many of these hardships are within reach if our society chooses to prescribe them."
The new study, published online April 12 in the journal Pediatrics, involved more than 7,000 children aged 4 months to 3 years who were brought to urban primary-care clinics or hospital emergency departments for care.
These children were less likely to have normal growth, health and development -- or "wellness" -- if their scores were higher on an index that evaluated hardships.
Dr. Deborah Frank reports, "We know that deprivations in early life can become biologically embedded, forcing children onto negative trajectories that jeopardize their health, their school readiness and their ability to earn a living as adults," (2010). "We also know that the remedies for many of these hardships are within reach if our society chooses to prescribe them."
July 26, 2010
Project SOS volunteers busy!
This month and into August, Project SOS volunteers are busy partnering with the Salvation Army and KNEA to help collect and distribute school supplies to children in need across the nation! It is estimated that over 100 hours of volunteer manpower will be donated to Project SOS and its partners over the next three weeks!
July 16, 2010
International expansion continues
Wow! We are seeing the power of positivity and synergism of effort! Project SOS is now in Paraguay and South Africa! Each country's key representative will be adopting a local school, organizing a school supply drive, and presenting the teachers, families, and students with the donations in August!
Tayla Robinson is our key representative in South Africa and Monica Nunez is our key representative in Paraguay.
A few more states have joined Project SOS as well! Geoff Tucker is the key representative for Alabama!
It wasn't the reward that mattered or the recognition you might harvest. It was your depth of commitment, your quality of service, the product of your devotion -- these were the things that counted in life. When you gave purely, the honor in giving, and that was honor enough.
--Captain Scott O'Grady
July 15, 2010
Project SOS goes international!
Wow! Good things are happening for education! Project SOS is now international! We have a key representative in Thailand and will be helping teachers, parents, and children at a school in the town of Phitsanulok.
Siriporn Plangklang is the key representative of Project SOS in Thailand. She will be organizing a school supply drive along with the efforts of our volunteers here in the US. Welcome aboard!
July 14, 2010
Back to School supply drive
Project SOS is sponsoring a Back to School supply drive to benefit children from homes of lower socioeconomic status. The drive kicks off today and concludes on August 11th! This is an international effort, with many state and country volunteers already actively seeking donations. August 12th, internationally, Project SOS will present the donated supplies to schools in need.
To get involved, contact Project SOS founder, Kim McDowell at kim.mcdowell@wichita.edu.
The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.
~Mohandas Gandhi
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)