Handling School Cutbacks

Community Manager — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 13:28:00 GMT

School budget cuts are headline news as at least 46 states slash funds to address budget shortfalls. With federal stimulus money set to end this school year, teachers and students will have to do more with less. This isn't news to anyone who found basics such as paper towels, baby wipes and Clorox on back-to-school-shopping lists. When schools can't afford to buy their own cleaning supplies, parents may well wonder how their children's education will be affected.

Worried About School Budget Cuts?

If your school district has seen budgets slashed, you may be looking for ways to offset the impact on your child's education. Consider enrolling your student in after-school programs that support education through homework assistance or enrichment activities.

Programming varies state by state; the following resources may be helpful in locating after-school programs in your area:

YMCA: Offers homework and after-school enrichment programming as well as sports for preschoolers, elementary aged kids, teens and adults. Often offers child care.
Boys & Girls Club of America: Offers a wide-variety of programming including homework assistance.
After School Matters: A Chicago-based afterschool programs for teens offering a range of innovative programming including theater and science workshops. While this program serves the Chicago-area, programs like it can be found across the country. Search the web using "after school" as key words or contact your school-district to ask if similar programs exist in your area.
Afterschool.gov: A government web site providing information for afterschool providers about Federal resources supporting children and youth during out-of-school hours. Search the site for programs in your area.

Do you have any tips for offsetting school budget cuts? Share your thoughts here and on the Beyond Folders Community's Facebook and Twitter pages.

by Bradley Eggers

Beyond Folders : budget cuts, back to school

Handling School Cutbacks