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My son brought home a student for Christmas that was sleeping in a tent in front of his Grandmother's small home...

There was not room inside for everyone...so the boys stayed outside. His family was homeless and had moved to NC from Michigan...

He had an old mattress on the ground that he shared with his brothers....

At school the teachers had no idea.....

He was put in ISS/OSS for chronically coming to school without a belt (smod rules). His uncle kept taking his belts and shirts. His band teacher failed him in band class for not having his own band book(20.00) for the test.

I told her about his living condition and the fact that the parents did not have a car...the teacher could have cared less.

Parent,

Wow. That is really disappointing to hear. I'm working on a story that will run this weekend, not sure if Sat. or Sun., that takes a look at this issue.

If you'd like to share more with me, including the school and teacher's name, feel free to email me at .

You hit on something that I knew from my personal experience but also from talking with some great folks at GCS. With their lives so up in the air, many of these kids miss school or show up late and then are penalized for it. They don't have their books because they were lost in the transition or left at one of the numerous places they're traveling around to. And so on.

It's a hard life the kids and only complicates things further for teachers and principals. I will say the schools I've talked to - Smith HS and Frazier Elementary - have made big efforts to reach out and help their students.

This should have been brought to the
principal's attention.

Brian,

I hope your story touches the hearts of your readers....I never knew such poverty was hidden behind the smiles of our students.

The first time we sat down to eat what I considered a modest meal...he just sat and looked around. He said I have never seen this much food at a table at one time. He was afraid to serve himself, so I filled his plate...twice. This child lived 1 mile from me and was starving.

I did not understand why he wanted to stay with us over Christmas, so I took him home to talk with his mother and get some clothes. When we walked in, my son pointed to a large dog bed that was in the porch and said that is where he sleeps when it is too cold to stay outside. He walked around and just picked up clothes from the floor.
Most did not fit him.

He was criticized at school by the teachers for wearing bedroom shoes to school and baggy non-fitting shirts....they thought he was being funny because he would smile....
....it was the only pair of shoes that fit any more!

Fortunately, there are a lot of people in Guilford County that do care more about the children than "the RULES". There are people that know that some children only have bedroom shoes and baggy clothes to wear to school.

If we are going to really push the uniform and SMOD, it must be with the funds to provide five clean outfits for every kid that needs one with a grow/change plan throughout the year and we must let families know this is available.

Otherwise, SMOD needs to be extremely flexible.

We have almost 2000 homeless...so being extremely modest at $100.00 for five uniforms a student we are talking $200,000 dollars...for just the homeless students.

Safeguards must be put in place to protect students in need.

No child in Guilford County, North Carolina, USA
should be denied a FREE education because they do not have a school uniform...not in New Orleans, not in Houston...and most certainly not here!!!

Students should be made to follow the rules and be disciplined for cussing teachers, talking during class, and being disrespectful
....not for being poor.

Brian,

I hope your story touches the hearts of your readers....I never knew such poverty was hidden behind the smiles of our students.

The first time we sat down to eat what I considered a modest meal...he just sat and looked around. He said I have never seen this much food at a table at one time. He was afraid to serve himself, so I filled his plate...twice. This child lived 1 mile from me and was starving.

I did not understand why he wanted to stay with us over Christmas, so I took him home to talk with his mother and get some clothes. When we walked in, my son pointed to a large dog bed that was in the porch and said that is where he sleeps when it is too cold to stay outside. He walked around and just picked up clothes from the floor.
Most did not fit him.

He was criticized at school by the teachers for wearing bedroom shoes to school and baggy non-fitting shirts....they thought he was being funny because he would smile....
....it was the only pair of shoes that fit any more!

Fortunately, there are a lot of people in Guilford County that do care more about the children than "the RULES". There are people that know that some children only have bedroom shoes and baggy clothes to wear to school.

If we are going to really push the uniform and SMOD, it must be with the funds to provide five clean outfits for every kid that needs one with a grow/change plan throughout the year and we must let families know this is available.

Otherwise, SMOD needs to be extremely flexible.

We have almost 2000 homeless...so being extremely modest at $100.00 for five uniforms a student we are talking $200,000 dollars...for just the homeless students.

Safeguards must be put in place to protect students in need.

No child in Guilford County, North Carolina, USA
should be denied a FREE education because they do not have a school uniform...not in New Orleans, not in Houston...and most certainly not here!!!

Students should be made to follow the rules and be disciplined for cussing teachers, talking during class, and being disrespectful
....not for being poor.

This teacher has no compassion as a human being, but the 'rules' that many teachers impose are glaringly wrong in this case. What about the social worker at that school.. can they help? I agree the principal should get involved. I can't tell you how many times I have had to fight teachers when they say everything has to be typed, or research done online, when they give no time for this to happen... yes most have computers and internet service, but not all! And as above, some have no transportation, no outside help and no recourse. While I agree that homework can have a place in education, it should be reinforcement and enrichment, not a way to cripple and punish those with little or no means... okay off my soap box!

Thoughts for your penny,

I notified the principal and social worker ...who left that day and purchased the child a book with her own money.

Unfortunately, the teacher is still working there.

Thank goodness for the social worker, but without the teacher being disciplined or at least told to be more sensitive then this problem will just continue in the next cycle of classes. Awareness and compassion can't be taught, but any principal worth his or her title would make sure that our neediest children have some alternatives and without the embarrasment of having to explain their needs. I do know that some children that can afford supplies spend the money on other things, but I would rather error on the side of compassion.

Very touching story. I know more families would open their hearts, homes and wallets, if they only knew of situations such as this.

One question though: Since when do the students have to buy their own books? Aren't books supplied by the schools?

most books are provided, but for music classes the county doesn't purchase music; sheet or books so I guess if there is not an active Boosters or PTSA the kids are responsible. This is ridiculous since music, band, chorus are offered, the materials should be included. Of course music instruments are not included... some are provided for marching bands, but not the individual instruments.

Debora,

That is absolutely ridiculous. ANY class that is offered in our PUBLIC schools should be FREE. ANY need for that class should then also be FREE of charge to our students. Music books should be offered just the same as math or English books! For pete's sake, you can download sheet music on the internet!!! This really makes me angry.

So really, public school is not free? What an outrage they are not supplying all the materials needed to learn a subject matter! Shame on you Guilford County schools!

What next, kids should supply their own toilet paper?

From a current craigslist posting:

A familly has just moved into the jamestown area and they are in need of clothing for school for there 2 daughters.
pants 11 and small 3/5
shirts med and sm

"these are needed for the children to be able to go to school in guilford county. "

The familly does not have a phone at the time so you can call my cell and i will relay a message to them. they are able to pick up themselves as long as it is with in near vacenity.
thanks for any help and may god bless
988.2803
also they have a little girl that would appreciate any clothes 2 or 3 t

Sad,
Have you looked at schools wish lists and student supply list lately..this is currently posted on a school website:
Tissues
Paper Towels
Hand Sanitizer
Color Markers
Color Pencils
Drawing Paper
loose leaf paper
#2 pencils
Sanitizing Wipes
Lysol Disinfecting spray

1st grader.............................
boxes of crayons (16 count of standard colors)
20 standard #2 pencils (non-decorated)
10 glue sticks
1 pink eraser (block style)
1 pack of pencil top cap erasers
2 pair of age appropriate (Fiskar) scissors
1 small plastic school box
2 boxes of family size tissues
1 full-size backpack without wheels
1 container of antibacterial wipes
2 Expo Dry-erase chisel tipped markers (red, green, blue, or black)
1 pack of white 3x5 index cards (not spiral bound)

Sad but True
When forced to cut budget a motion was made that when funds from other sources became available they “resupply” (re-fund) the school supply budget if it happened prior to last quarter of year as splitting the funds with “Reserves” . Instead of motion passing, the other motion that did not provide for re-supplying the supply and reserves budgets passed. Many of our schools will not be badly hurt by supply cut, but we could have easily cut administrative costs and some others first and there will be more money coming from under the carpet.

Any child punished as above for SMOD which must include plan for such instances, should be reported to a Board Member, any Board Member, whether for or against SMOD. I can honestly say not a single Board Member would tolerate the situation portrayed and most certainly would want to know the school involved. Their emails are found at http://www.gcsnc.com/boe/index.htm

I deal almost daily with the kids we’re writing about. We as educators, parents, community leaders, concerned citizens and friends all care deeply about our children. I think it is quite unfair to judge an individual situation based on a few comments and perceptions as indicated on this blog. Misunderstandings occur and information gets added and left out when it passes through multiple ears and mouths. The fact is that our schools are full of kids who need all kinds of help whether it is financial, academic or emotional. I would encourage each of us to be more involved in our school system. It’s pretty easy to sit and write a blog, but what are we willing to actually do? Our schools need help in all aspects of educating our children. We all have gifts and talents that can be utilized. You’d be amazed at the impact of the little things like seeing a smiling face to care about you can have on the overall well being of a child. Get involved in your schools.

Regarding music textbooks: the state only pays for textbooks in the traditional disciplines (math, science, social studies, language arts) so any additional textbooks must be paid for from local funds. Music/band are considered electives, so typically, if the child elects to take those courses, then he/she must pay for supplies.
If Guilford County citizens want children to have these and other electives, then citizens must be prepared to pay for them.

Read through these and other comments about the effects on children of poverty, homelessness and neglect - then, we must start to wonder why we (through No Child Left Behind and NC's ABCs of School Reform) hold teachers as solely responsible for children's success and failure in school.

Some of these matters should be taken up with the school principal. I know the principal at Smith High School works with several churches in the area who provide quite liberally to the well-being of some of the really needy students in the areas of clothes and materials.

The housing issue, now that's too difficult for a school system to deal with.

Yes...

I have heard wonderful things about SMITH...
and their faculty.

This school is setting the example and I would love to see their scores soar....

Unfortunately , our principal told a parent that came to him and said I don't have the money to spend on uniforms right now....that they could
not start school without them.....and offerred no alternatives to the parent.....

The students missed two weeks of school.....

Schools are not consistant in this area and most parents do not know where to turn or that they have anywhere to turn.