Connect in Your Community
Adopt a School
Good Schools Pennsylvania has seen repeated evidence that Pennsylvanians care deeply about fairness; however, not enough of us are truly aware of the day-to-day challenges facing underfunded schools.
Circle of Hope Church in Philadelphia found an effective way of building awareness within their faith community was to adopt a school. They invited members of their congregation who are teachers to submit “wish lists” describing their need for critical supplies that many other schools take for granted. In much the same manner that some congregations collect items for food pantries, the church community was invited to donate items on the school supply wish list. The next step was to engage the community around the question of WHY the schools are missing such essential supplies as blackboard erasers, library books, books, and even toilet paper.
After discussing the difference between charity and justice, the community was eager to engage in such advocacy projects as sending postcards to their legislators and embarking on legislative visits.
Why not plan an Adopt-a-School project for your faith community or civic group when the new school year begins in September 2007? Include some or all of the following steps:
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Invite a school to submit its wish list.
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Share the list with your congregation / community group and set a date for collection.
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Tie the collection to a presentation on school funding and a discussion on the difference between charity and justice.
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Engage the community in advocacy steps, including:
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Postcards / letters to legislators expressing your concern about the critical shortages you discovered
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Similar letters to the editor
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Sending a few delegates from your community to make a legislative visit.
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Sharing your story with Good Schools Pennsylvania!
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