Healing Cuts to Education

Bridging the Gap
Getting Involved in Your Child’s Education Pays Off

By Heather Hierling

By now, most California parents are well aware that schools will have to endure painful budget cuts in the coming school year, but as many local communities have already discovered, parent support can go a long way in bridging the gap between students’ needs and schools’ funding.

Individual school districts often receive the budget after the school year has begun, forcing them to make tough choices on whether or not to buy books, continue programs, cut staff positions and/or cancel electives. In recent years some local schools have even been forced to close their doors and bus students elsewhere. Fair Oaks Elementary in Fair Oaks is one example. This summer, as school districts come up with desperate strategies to trim expenses, deliberating cuts to staff, library services, parent-teacher conferences, athletics programs and other vitally enriching aspects of education, parents’ involvement is more important than ever.

Get Connected
"Probably the most important thing is knowing your child and knowing what your child’s needs are," says Carol Kocivar, Vice President of Communications at the California State Parent Teacher Association. PTAs are groups of parents and teachers who get together once a month to strategize ways to help their schools better serve students. Some schools have Parent Teacher Organizations that fulfill the same mission: to volunteer and advocate for the betterment of the school and the kids. Joining the PTA (or PTO) at your child’s school is just one way to lend support.

Donating some expertise to an event, participating in school fundraisers or just getting to know your child’s teacher can make a world of difference in your son or daughter’s educational experience. Folsom Cordova Unified is expected to ask teachers to sacrifice lesson preparation time in order to do volunteer yard duty (a position that used to be paid). It’s simple, practical things like this—volunteering to supervise kids on the playground, even just one hour a month—that can shield students and educators from the budget cuts’ impact.

To do the most good, Kocivar recommends “having good clear communication with your child’s teacher, being available and letting the teacher know that if the teacher needs some additional help, that you’re there to help in a way that’s good for you.” That last part of Kocivar’s statement is important for today’s busy parents to understand. Involvement needn’t be an “all or nothing” step. Be up-front about the amount of time and effort you have to offer. There’s nothing wrong with offering an hour each month (or even every other month)—and no more—to a classroom or school. In fact, you may be surprised to learn how far that hour goes.

Not every parent’s schedule allows her to volunteer in the classroom, but there are many other, simple ways parents can make a difference. Contact your school to find out what needs are looming largest this year and how you can help outside of school hours, or check out our sidebar on fundraising resources.

Get Creative
In the San Juan Unified School District, arts education is kept alive in part thanks to its all-volunteer Art Docent Program, and the parent volunteers who keep it going. Each fall the parents receive training in how to give hour-long instructional presentations on portfolios of fine art prints. Through these monthly presentations and the art lessons that follow, students are exposed to famous works by such greats as Chagall, Van Gogh, Renoir, and Rembrandt; the kids also learn art techniques in creating their own masterpieces.

Since being introduced at SJUSD, the program has blossomed and is now used at more than 100 public and private schools across the region, including Franklin Elementary in Loomis, Diamond Creek Elementary in Roseville and James McKee in Elk Grove. For a one-time investment to cover the cost of the prints, schools can have a collection that can last up to 20 years. Many schools within a district share costs, rotating the art portfolios bi-weekly so the lessons reach more kids.

The Art Docent Program may not be the same as having dedicated salaried art instructors at each school, but considering only 11 percent of public schools meet the state requirement for arts instruction, according to a study released by SRI International, the program serves a vital purpose. “The arts are a core part of a child’s education,” said Amy Scherschligt, coordinator of the Art Docent Program. “Parents who like to volunteer, and have the time, know that this is a dynamite way to get in and make a difference in [their] child’s education.”

Get Inspired
Another all-volunteer organization supporting local schools is the Auburn Education Foundation. Since 1985, the foundation has been raising thousands each year for schools in the Auburn Elementary School District. The Foundation offers one-time grants for specific classroom purposes and sustaining grants for school-wide repairs and needs.

“We pretty much have funded almost all the grant applications every year,” said Ken Nittler, president of the AEF. For the last two years the foundation has granted $70,000 each year. For the last five years, the AEF has also sponsored the Symphony Goes To School program, which provides a day of live symphony for hundreds of students every year.

“The trickiest thing is to figure out…how to get the maximum amount of support out of the community,” said Nittler, who added that the community in Auburn strongly supports the foundation through memberships and sponsorships from service clubs and businesses. Home Town Realtors is one such foundation sponsor that holds frequent fundraisers.

For anyone thinking of launching a new foundation, Nittler offers this advice: “Figure out how to do fundraisers that attract businesses, fundraisers that attract prominent community members, community members that are willing to participate and donate.”

At Mark Hopkins Elementary in South Sacramento community members organized when Bayside Church of South Sacramento suggested a partnership with the elementary school. Church members and volunteers created a free after-school program for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders called “Love Your Neighbor.” The all-volunteer program was launched last January and is already getting great results.

“They have been absolutely amazing partners,” said Laura Reed, principal at Mark Hopkins. “They have done so much for our school this year.” On Thursdays and Fridays students receive mentoring support from volunteers in areas like reading and homework; they participate in visual and performing arts programs; and they receive physical education through a fitness program. “The students have developed a really positive relationship with the people that are here,” adds Reed, and thanks to the continuing support of the neighborhood church’s volunteers, the nearly no-cost Love Your Neighbor program will continue next year.

Making a difference in a child’s education does require a little effort, but the more parents get involved, the easier it is to make a positive impact. As we prepare for another year where the funds do not match the need, it is up to us—individuals, parents and community members alike—to help bridge the gap in whatever ways we can. After all, tending to the quality of our kids’ education is one of the most important things we can do as parents.

So Many Ways to Help

By Heather Hierling

Most likely, your local school already has a PTA (Parent Teacher Association) or PTO (Parent Teacher Organization), and chances are, they could use your help. Offering even a little of your time can help keep classes and programs alive for your children and the children in your neighborhood.

You don’t have to join or necessarily be present at meetings to make a difference. PTAs often hold ongoing fundraisers that make helping as easy as sending household items to school with the kids. Some common fundraisers include recycling programs (for cell phones or inkjet cartridges, etc.), Campbell’s Labels for Education (www.labelsforeducation.com) and General Mills’ Box Tops for Education program (www.boxtops4education.com). The following Web sites offer more ways to make a difference:

www.escript.com 
Since 1999, e-script has been helping parents earn money for their schools by shopping. Yes, shopping. Register your credit or debit cards on its secure Web site, and every purchase you make at participating retailers (including Target and Safeway stores) earns cash for your school.

www.fund-raising-ideas-center.com 
This go-to sight for fundraising inspiration is perfect for newly-formed PTAs or PTOs and those ready to explore more possibilities.

www.terracycle.net 
TerraCycle programs let schools raise funds while teaching students about recycling and conservation. Collect would-be waste (drink pouches, yogurt containers, etc.), turn it into TerraCycle, Inc. (shipping is free), and the company will donate to the school.

www.musicmatt.com 
Local dad, musician and teacher, Music Matt, has created a cool program to help schools raise money. Students learn music and lyrics then create an original CD (a sort of audio yearbook—for rock stars). CD sales (to family, friends and neighbors) pay for the fundraiser plus school projects.

www.capta.org 
The California State Parent Teacher Association Web site offers current information on the state budget and education funding concerns.

A search of local school districts facing cuts due to the budget crisis reveals a variety of ways that parents can help, and the more parents who get involved, the less each parent has to do to make a difference. From an hour of volunteer yard duty once a month to donating equipment for PE or sports programs or keeping an elective class alive through an after-school club, we can do a lot to help maintain—and improve—the quality of our kids’ education.