Yes, it's come to this, in America...

[archanglrobriel]

So, I have a friend and she is made of awesomeness. She works for a Major American Name Brand Company and that company recently received some mail from a high school student in East L.A. In the letter it was mentioned that at her high school, which is WILDLY underfunded (as most California schools are now, but especially in the less wealthy areas

Comments

[elusis]

Rob - this is very cool of you to pass the request along, and I will go donate. However, I have to ask - why is the school in charge of supplying pencils?

[archanglrobriel]

I'm guessing it's because it's in such a poor district...but then again, Ree's school also supply pencils for some of their students and it's in a moderately well off area so maybe it's just standard operating procedure these days.

[luckykid13]

Actually all public schools are supposed to supply everything a child needs to learn. It is a free education system and therefore public schools cannot demand that a family supply anything at all- we can only suggest it.

In the end, if I want my students to write something I need to supply the paper and pencil/pen with which to write it. If I want them to read something, it is up to the school to supply the text, etc. That is also why schools can try to be hardcore about student dress code/ uniforms, but ultimately must supply a student with the uniform or else they do not have any grounds for repercussions.

Private schools are looking a lil better each day.

[trouvera]

At a guess, given my familiarity with urban schools

[ambyr_writes]

I wonder if you'd mind eversoterribly if I just lifted this whole cloth and reposted? You say it better than I could, you see. :)

[archanglrobriel]

I wouldn't mind a bit. Go for it..

[ambyr_writes]

Done and done.

[archanglrobriel]

*high fives you*

[epinoid]

Thanks for giving us an opportunity to do something helpful on a simple level. Made me feel better.

[jensolo]

When I visited Egypt, I was told that we should not give money to the children begging in the streets. Egypt's economy is based 90% on tourism and 10% on agriculture, you see. They need a better way to support themselves, and giving small amounts of money doesn't solve anything, apparently. But I decided that I couldn't just DO NOTHING

[icarus_after]

i sent three boxes of pencils, three boxes of erasers, and for good measure, a fifty count box of colored pencils.