2012 will mark our 12th year of supplying needy children in
the Livingston Parish Public School System with school supplies! Through the
years, we have collected nearly $500,000 worth of supplies for Livingston
Parish students and helped so many children in our parish, thanks to the
generous support we have received from our sponsors, community volunteers, and
donors. We have received feedback from so many teachers and school counselors
that the donations we give to the schools have such a positive influence on the
attitudes and behaviors of the students who need the supplies.
School teachers and principals estimate that up to 10
percent of the students will start school in August without the supplies they
need - that's estimated to be approximately 2,200 to 2,400 children for the
2012-2013 school year. Without the necessary supplies for each student, teachers
are faced with two options: buy the needed materials with their own paychecks,
which many of them do, or alter course assignments to account for the lack of
supplies.
Basic school supplies -- notebooks, paper, scissors, glue,
crayons, markers, construction paper, pencils, ink pens, rulers, pocket folders
and book bags -- can be purchased by the ASSESS the NEED program for about $20
to $25 for each child. Bulk purchases and tax-free advantages help to hold the
cost down.
ASSESS the NEED volunteers will be working over the coming
weeks to collect financial contributions and donated supplies which they will
then organize for distribution to all parish schools. Supplies will be
distributed proportionately to all parish schools, based on need, until all requests
are met or supplies and/or funds are exhausted. Principals and teachers will
determine which children from their schools will benefit from the donations,
and they will distribute the items to them.
It's important that our students begin the school year on a
positive. Doing so can set the tone for their success for the rest of the year.
We're counting on the generosity of the people of Livingston Parish to make
sure this year's supply drive meets the needs once again. Working together, we
will be able to give our children the tools they need to learn and SUCCEED!
Sincerely,
Jeff Taylor
Livingston Parish Assessor
