Almost every day the media reports on the impact of the recession on families. I recently wrote about the impact in a Research Brief I prepared for The Principals' Partnership (www.principalspartnership.com) and was reminded about the need for principals and teachers to take the impact into consideration when working with students and their families.
Did you know that . . .
• The poverty rate for children younger than 18 was 19%?
• Rural families have higher poverty rates than urban families?
• The use of food stamps has grown 32% since 2007?
• Sixteen percent of American families run out of food each month?
• Nearly 20% of the US population lost health care insurance since January 2008?
• Teenagers have the highest unemployment rate (27%)?
• One in five children (14 million) receive food from soup kitchens, food pantries or other agencies?
• One in eight Americans received emergency food help last year?
At Hadley Junior High in Glen Ellyn, IL they began Stephanie's Breakfast Club named for a teacher at the school. It's a chance for students to meet, talk with teachers, have a nutritious breakfast and prepare for the school day. Teachers volunteer their time and the food is donated. What a wonderful example of responding to the needs of their students.
How does your school respond to students and families in need? What programs or practices do you have to care for your students?
