School Crisis Update and Thoughts

As I’ve mentioned before our schools have been impacted by an unexpected financial crisis resulting in a 4.7 million dollar deficit.  This was going to result in layoffs of teachers and other school staff in the middle of the school year.  The City Council and School Committee voted unanimously for state legislation  so that on February 1^st, our teachers jobs were reinstated before they  were scheduled to finish their last day of work. 

The commitment to achieve a specific outcome, in this case – save every job – has generated an outpouring of generousity from every corner of our community as well as actions by our school and political leadership.  So far we’ve prevented the loss of about half of the jobs slated for cuts and several more fundraisers are scheduled to save the rest.If you’d like to help:  Attend our Fundraiser – Knights of Columbus Hall on Salem Common between the hours of 2 PM and 10 PM on Saturday, February 16.  There will be entertainment and an auction. A volunteer/donation number has been established. Call 978-750-1110 for information on volunteering time or to donate materials or money for the auction. Donations that can be mailed should go to SOS, C/O 5 West Terrace, Salem, MA 01970. All others should be brought to the front desk at Salem High School between 7 AM and 3 PM until February 14. If those times are not workable please call 978-744-3856 for assistance. Donations can also be made directly to  “The Salem Education Fund” and mailed to: The Salem Education Fund, P.O. Box 4125, Woburn, MA, 01888 or can be made online at www.salem.com.

Education and Our Children

I am currently reading “3 Cups of Tea“.  It is a powerful account of Greg Mortenson’s humanitarian mission to bring education to children in Pakistan and Afghanistan. 

In an odd way it is also timely.  My daughter attends public school in Salem, MA.   The mayor, parents and administrators are working relentlessly to deal with a unexpected financial crisis to the tune of a 4.7 million dollar deficit resulting in layoffs of teachers and other school staff in the middle of the school year.

So, why would I ever compare the challenges of impoverished children in Pakistan to our children?  Well I often thought as I read Greg’s book that perhaps our children here do not value their education-the privilege of that lost on them.   But in recent weeks during this crisis, what I have witnessed instead is leadership in the face of conflict, unity among the parents to bring about change and the power of our children.   This evening I’ll be attending a special meeting where there will be a vote on funding that has been made available by the governor.  This money would save our teacher’s jobs!  In addition to the state government, this was made possible in large part by the community coming together to fight for their schools, along with large community donations by the North Shore Medical Center, The Salem Rotary (and many others) as well as parents and perhaps the most touching (for me), a fundraiser led by my 6 year old daughter, where children brought in their very own pennies, dimes and quarters to try and save the jobs of their teachers, librarians and paraprofessionals. 

It’s amazing what can happen when people come together.  I’m thrilled to know it is for a common cause-education.  Because education really is the key to our children’s future-in every corner of the world…in Pakistan, in my backyard… everywhere.

2 Hours Left-America’s Giving Challenge

$10 COULD TURN INTO $50,000 FOR THE SHARING FOUNDATION. 

I donated and I am asking you to do the same.  The Sharing Foundation which helps Cambodian children is part of America’s Giving Challenge contest – which will award the top four charities that get the most unique donors to give $10 by 3:00 PM EST Today!

All they need is a few more donations to qualify.

Donate here: http://tinyurl.com/yq6e2s
Ask your friends — it’s only $10
It is not the $$ that counts, but rather the  number of donors– here’s the leader board, and you can follow this race, if you wish, to its finish at 3 PM EST!   

One only need give $10.  Please donate $10 by 3: 00 PM ESTDonate here: http://tinyurl.com/yq6e2s

More about the Sharing Foundation: http://tinyurl.com/2efbb8