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Is Your Child’s School Prepared for the Next Academic Year?
Special to The Truth
Unfortunately, classroom
needs cannot always be matched by school budgets. If you are
a concerned parent, consider getting involved in the PTA.
It’s one of the best ways help ensure your school is
equipped with the academic tools that teachers need most.
Here are a few areas of
the classroom that could use some extra help.
• Mini Library. While most
schools have a central library, individual classrooms should
also have books on hand for students to thumb through during
breaks, study hall and quiet time. Opportunities to learn
should be right at student’s fingertips, so consider
advocating for a well-stocked bookshelf in every classroom
that includes both fiction and non-fiction titles.
• Math Tools. Advanced
graphing calculators can help students grasp difficult
mathematical concepts. Be sure your school is equipped with
highly functional options, such as the fx-9860 or fx-9750
from Casio, which feature USB connectivity, AP Statistics
features, pie charts, bar graphs and more.
• Lab equipment. Does your
school possess up-to-date lab equipment? Is there enough
equipment for every student? From Bunsen burners to
microscopes, be sure the equipment-to-student ratio is one
that can foster active, hands-on learning.
• Classroom tech. Teachers
need highly functional projectors to keep up with today’s
educational demands. Newer models should come with such
features as closed captioning and expanded input/output
connectivity. The LampFree projectors from Casio are a good
option for schools, as they can outlast traditional models
by up to ten times, saving schools time and money. For
example, the XJ-UT310WN is good for any classroom, with its
ultra-short throw ratio and ability to automatically adjust
to the brightness of the room.
To get your school’s
classrooms up to speed, consider hosting some fundraisers
this summer to benefit your child’s school. One fun, low-key
way that students can help run is a car wash. Perfect for
summer, this is a great way to raise awareness in the
community about the needs of the school. To make some extra
funds, you might also combine the event with a bake sale.
Or, ask local businesses
if they can donate their products and services to a silent
auction. From restaurant gift certificates to free yoga
classes, this is a great way to get the entire community
involved.
While not every school has
all the latest and greatest gear to enhance classroom
learning, as a parent you can help discover where there are
shortfalls and help lead the charge towards filling these
gaps.
Courtesy StatePoint
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