Budget Cuts Leave Fewer School Staff, Faculty Look To Volunteers For Help
By: Brendaliss Gonzalez
Updated: November 8, 2012
This classroom could use a little help or a few extra set of eyes at least.
Recent budget cuts have left cross plains elementary school with fewer staff.
Many teachers like Melissa Richards are feeling the brunt of it.
"It really hurts because not only did we lose teachers aides, but we've lost some teacher," said Melissa Richards, who teaches at the school.
So they began looking for a way to make up for the loss.
That's when the schools principal remembered a program the had as a kid where senior citizens volunteered to help teachers teach.
"I just remember them being so helpful," said Jeremy Williams, the principal at the school.
Now he's trying to implement the Foster Grandparent program at his own school.
"Right now I would be pleased to have one," said Williams.
"You know a lot of kids need that extra hug, or that extra pat on the back," said Richards.
There are a few challenges like volunteers have to serve 20- 40 hours a week as well as meet a minimum salary.
"And I think that a lot of people are just unaware of how beneficial it really could be," said Williams.
However, faculty aren't letting that get in the way.
"I'm going to keep fighting for this program to happen because our kids need them," said Williams.
Neither are the kids who've come to appreciate the extra help when it does come.
" I really like it because they just help me with words and help me understand," said Kiley Morgan
"And sometimes in those little tests they kind of give you hints," said Addie Webb
Because sometimes even the classroom can use a little tender care.
There is already one senior citizen who volunteers at the school, however its only for one hour a week and they're looking for people to commit a couple hours a day.
Faculty have already placed ads in the local newspaper and have now begun reaching out to the local senior citizens center for help.
The Big County Foster Grandparent program is based in Abilene, where there are currently a little less than 100 volunteer grandparents serving at various schools in the Key City.
Recent budget cuts have left cross plains elementary school with fewer staff.
Many teachers like Melissa Richards are feeling the brunt of it.
"It really hurts because not only did we lose teachers aides, but we've lost some teacher," said Melissa Richards, who teaches at the school.
So they began looking for a way to make up for the loss.
That's when the schools principal remembered a program the had as a kid where senior citizens volunteered to help teachers teach.
"I just remember them being so helpful," said Jeremy Williams, the principal at the school.
Now he's trying to implement the Foster Grandparent program at his own school.
"Right now I would be pleased to have one," said Williams.
"You know a lot of kids need that extra hug, or that extra pat on the back," said Richards.
There are a few challenges like volunteers have to serve 20- 40 hours a week as well as meet a minimum salary.
"And I think that a lot of people are just unaware of how beneficial it really could be," said Williams.
However, faculty aren't letting that get in the way.
"I'm going to keep fighting for this program to happen because our kids need them," said Williams.
Neither are the kids who've come to appreciate the extra help when it does come.
" I really like it because they just help me with words and help me understand," said Kiley Morgan
"And sometimes in those little tests they kind of give you hints," said Addie Webb
Because sometimes even the classroom can use a little tender care.
There is already one senior citizen who volunteers at the school, however its only for one hour a week and they're looking for people to commit a couple hours a day.
Faculty have already placed ads in the local newspaper and have now begun reaching out to the local senior citizens center for help.
The Big County Foster Grandparent program is based in Abilene, where there are currently a little less than 100 volunteer grandparents serving at various schools in the Key City.
