Education Short List

In the Sunday paper this last week there was a short article, from the Associated Press, about a school in Yuma, Arizona – and the way this school is working within the confines of the economic recession.

Elementary school asks for supplies
“No money – please donate supplies.” That’s the desperate plea an elementary school in Yuma, Ariz., has posted on its marquee.
Carver Elementary School Principal Debra Drysdale says the message is no joke – and it’s working. She estimates that the school has received $500-$700 in donations from community members, parents and people who happened to be driving by.
The principal says the funds the school uses to buy office supplies and replace equipment and furniture have been depleted. She says teachers are buying supplies for their classrooms and saving money by shutting off lights and returning district-supplied cell phones.

Another article from the Los Angeles Times describes the situation in the state of Oregon and specifically the Siuslaw School District. This school district is going so far as to consider having a shorter school year. The complete article can be found within the link below.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-oregon-schools9-2009mar09,0,3717346,full.story

What do these schools and districts have in common? They are the victims of our current economic recession. But the people who are really losing out are the students.

What’s happening in your state, district, school, classroom? Have you found the silver lining for your students?