Last fall, Neighbors Investing in Childs Elementary (NICE), had a lovely block party at Childs, where dozens of community members learned about the group's efforts at the local school. Last week at Ignite Philly, two representatives from NICE gave an impassioned speech on how you too can help your neighborhood school. Somehow, a Buzzfeed post was created about it.
The speech had three specific recommendations:
1) Get to know someone in the building – build a relationship with a teacher or administrator so they don't think you're just creeping around the school
2) Check your intentions – have a plan for what you want to accomplish and be humble in your efforts
3) Don't make assumptions – ask the school what they need
The lowest hanging fruit comes in the form of schools supplies, especially printer paper. Do you have spare school supplies in your house? Extra reams of printer paper? If not, do you feel like buying any of those things and donating them to your local school? It seems like a safe bet that supplies of this ilk would be appreciated and go a long way toward helping the kiddies. But don't forget recommendation #3 – call first and see what they need. After all, each of your neighbors may have already donated a box of printer paper today.
Don't know your local school? Click here to find out.