Last fall the NISD Council of PTAs launched a community service project called the Title 1 Project.  The goal of this project was to help the 46 Title 1 schools within our district by adopting them in some form.  We sent out information explaining the project and coordinated setting up schools with partners so that we could cover as many schools as possible.  Our district is large and very diverse.   Children in one area have needs different from those in another and we are thankful that so many of you were able to help.  Council would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the schools who participated in adopting a school for the Title 1 Project.

State PTA suggests a 3 to 1 guideline for program-to-fundraiser ratio. The Title 1 Project can fulfill the requirements for one of these programs while benefiting schools in our district that are low income schools.  This program does not require you to amend your budget, does not require a lot of time and is a program that helps many children.  The steps in doing this project are simple:

1. Adopt a school or schools. (You can choose more than one and spread the community service.)
2. Discuss with the adopted school what their needs are and select dates for the donation drive.  You can do more than one type of drive throughout the year if you choose.
3. Send home flyers explaining the project.  Be sure to include the type of items requested, due date, and any other pertinent information.  We can provide you sample letters.
4. Have a secure place to store the items until you arrange for transfer between the schools when the drive is over.
5. The receiving school should have counselors and/or administrators give out the items instead of parents handing them out.  Some families are embarrassed asking for help if they know that other parents at the school are aware of their situation.

Not all of our Title 1 schools were adopted last year.  This year we will be adding an additional school as a Title 1 school which brings our total to 47.  If you participated last year we hope you are able to continue to support the school you adopted and that this program will build relationships between schools that continue from year to year.  If you were unable to participate last year we ask that you look at the possibility of trying to participate this year.  Some secondary schools had NHS, GT or other organizations within the schools also participate with exciting results.  The Jay High School National Honor Society supported a Prom Dress Drive for students from Holmes and Jay who could not afford to buy a dress on their own.  This allowed many girls the opportunity to attend their senior prom that otherwise would not have been able to go.

Some examples of drives could be food, backpacks, school supplies, warm clothes, shoes, socks/gloves.  No matter what type of donation drive it is, we know it will make a difference in the life of a child.  Both the children at the receiving schools and the giving schools will learn the importance of community and helping those who may be less fortunate.  Helping every child is part of PTA’s mission.  This program enables us to do so.  For additional information or copies of sample letters please contact Donna Smith, Council President, at drsmith9219@sbcglobal.net or at 422-0949.