The Situation with the Schools...

I have taken some excerpts from Dick's letter regarding the situation we witnessed at the NOLA schools. Please read and take action! I personally was so disheartened by the system and what is occurring. To me it is creating a segregation like we have never seen before. The children and society are truly the victims!

"On the schooling/education portion of my trip to New Orleans I was completely taken back by some abysmal changes since my last visit in August of 2008. Some individual school sites where one school existed in the past, now have two or three different types of schools side by side (a charter, a public school/RSD , and a private school!) Imagine, if you will, how each will be treated with regard to obtaining resources, not to mention other issues!"

"Here's another appalling fact; a number of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders performing well in RSD and Orleans Parish public schools, over the past year, are now being actively recruited away from their schools. Sadly, this disrupts the school 'community' from year-to-year and it means that many poor performing students are herded together, quite honestly, from all over the city in some pretty tough conditions. This recruitment process has already led to a 'have' and 'have not' situation in some cases. You can surely catch my drift."

"In some cases RSD (Recovery School District), schools run by the state of Louisiana, and public schools are even having some grade levels taken from them and put into other buildings while some grade levels aren't moved. Can you believe it?! This is being done at an alarming rate and without asking principals and others within the affected buildings. This leaves schools and principals wondering if they will exist and have a job in the fall. "

"I found that hard working teachers, principals, and students at the RSD and Orleans Parish schools are still underfunded and without vital resources. Before going any further I need to tell you that almost all of the parents of these children work. Quite simply, since Katrina, prices have skyrocketed. One parent told me a couple of days ago that her property taxes have risen 500% since the hurricane! With sky high housing costs, expensive homeowners insurance premiums, and exorbitant property tax rates it is no wonder that the less fortunate have little money to help their children with school supplies."

"...conditions in a number of schools are horrible and actually deteriorating. Something has to be done and done now. Children not only need daily school supplies but we are finding that they need uniforms, belts, underwear, and resources for after-school activities."

"Schools Count Corp is making every effort to serve as many of these needs as possible. I desperately need your help, the kids need your help!! Quite simply, our non-profit needs another $12,000 to $15,000 to serve the above needs in over 20 New Orleans schools. Many of you have already made contributions this year and for that I am most grateful. I am appealing to each and every one of you to help in any way you can. If you aren't able to contribute further, I completely understand, if you can terrific."

"Remember, your donation is a charitable deduction on your federal return AND we make sure that 100% of your donation, yes 100%, are used to buy the supplies that the children need and deserve. Mail your contribution, payable to Schools Count Corp, to Schools Count Corp., c/o Richard Flesher, 20048 S. Kohlwood, Mokena, IL. 60448. Please don't wait another day! Finally, I'd be grateful if you would take the time to pass this email along to your friends and family. It would be most helpful."

"Kindly accept my thanks for your past support and consideration of this urgent plea."

Sincerely,
Dick Flesher

Schools Count Corp., NFP
20048 S. Kohlwood
Mokena, IL. 60448
phone: 630-863-6035
website: www.schoolscountcorp.org
blog: http://schoolscountcorp.blogspot.com