"Helping Your Local Christian School"
As the school year begins, we rush to get school buildings, furniture, and supplies cleaned, repainted, repaired, and ready for new students. If your school is a typical one, you may find yourself short a few desks, lockers, books, or other supplies. If you see things on enrollment day that could be fixed –but seem too expensive, then get permission to organize a group and start calling people. Remember that even a month or two into the school year is not too late to help improve things. If your school has a specific need, it might surprise you what people are willing to give when they know how the money will be used.
Do classrooms need more desks? Organize a group of parents willing to buy one "desk" each and then take the money to the principal. Do teachers need extra space? Brainstorm with other people and find out what other schools are doing to gain extra space. Perhaps your principal could use those ideas.
Determine not to be offended if your efforts are rejected. Pray for guidance and the appropriate time to present the issue again.
Here are some great ways to help your school . . .
Recognize the power of a group. . . .
Working is usually more fun when done in a group. People tend to motivate each other. An organized parent group might repaint a room, repair furniture, or purchase new supplies. As mentioned before, people are often more willing to donate money if they know it is going for a specific purchase. People like to hear things like "new desks" or "new lockers" or "new paint." Our time and money is precious, but who would not give an afternoon of that time to have fun with other parents and improve their school?
A word to "organizers" . . . .
Sometimes principals or school boards are hesitant to give out information or to allow parents to contact companies to place orders. Be willing to allow the proper authorities to make the final decisions, order supplies, and give approval to all of your ideas and plans. You might see a need for new desks because your student has an old one, but the principal might see the bigger picture of needing new books for the entire class. Be open to those who are in charge when it comes to specifying needs and starting projects. Clear ALL of your plans with school officials. They will be able to warn you if your plans might conflict with other school functions and fundraisers. School personnel usually have been around long enough that they might also give you additional ideas, or warn you of things that have not worked in the past.
A word to "givers" . . . . .
Learn to give and then "let go" completely. Nothing is more frustrating to school officials than to receive gifts with "conditions" attached. If you give something to the school, trust that God will allow the proper people to apply that gift as needed. A true giver does not still "own" what he or she has given away! Be careful not to give with expectations that might lead to your own or to the principal’s frustration. If you believe God has control of your school, then trust Him to control those He has allowed to be in charge of your school.
Frustrating "donators"
> People who give to "show off" what they have done. The Bible clearly tells us not to be proud of our "giving" and that we should not give in hopes of others noticing.
> People who become offended when gifts are used (or not used) in the way they would see fit. Again, learn to give unconditionally.
> People who do not ask before donating things that might or might not be necessary or that might not fit school criteria. Principals appreciate being able to give you advice on what donations are a good idea or what things might not be a good idea. Make a phone call and explain what you have to give.
Ideas for Groups
> Create a way to pay the utilities of the school for one month. . . or a year!
> Refurnish a classroom by finding out what new supplies or books are needed and then collecting the money for them.
> Start a toilet paper, soap, or paper towel drive to supply the facilities. ASK the principal before doing so, of course, because some schools order these supplies in advance!