Cook County is home to small schools in which budgets are tight, needs are high, and providing opportunities for children is challenging. We must prepare our children to enter competitive higher education programs and to create livelihoods for themselves that will help our community thrive into the future. Therefore, our educational opportunities must be on par with those in suburban, urban, and private schools throughout the nation.
From basic skills development to career exploration, Cook County is very fortunate to have a myriad of educational opportunities from early childhood through higher education, available right here at home. Along with many educational opportunities comes the need to staff and provide resources for those of us who love living in Cook County and want to better our lives while we are here. This week’s Issues in Education is an opportunity to highlight and acknowledge the commitment from volunteers and community in making a difference in the lives of young people.
Active volunteerism is an essential element necessary for programs in this county to be successful. Throughout this school year I have seen many astonishing things from our countywide community. A fine example of this stems from a community feast held at the beginning of the school year. The day after the feast, a grandmother came to the school to report a handful of volunteers wanting to help all children and families make dance regalia. These volunteers did not ask for pay. They simply asked for space, materials, and coordination. These individuals are not only volunteering to sew. They are volunteering to teach, to unite, and to build community. This is the essence of volunteering.
The Oshki Ogimaag school board made the decision last year to maintain a regular Monday through Friday school schedule because it best suits the needs of our students. Although there are challenges that accompany holding school while the rest of the students are not in session, there have been some positive results stemming from this decision. The most notable result is the emergence of some very responsible middle and high school students who have volunteered their time in the classroom and are reading to younger children. The students have been helpful, productive, and have truly contributed to the education of the younger students. This spirit of giving and community building provides children with excellent role models, and opportunities for community service and is an important part of building leadership skills.
Elders in our community have volunteered to participate in a school-based reading program for the past several years. Reading with Elders is an excellent opportunity for students to not only practice reading skills, but to also build relationships with adults. This program is coordinated by an interested community Elder, and individuals commit to 30 minutes each Monday and Thursday from October through June. This commitment to our children is inspiring.
The purpose of our local schools is to provide high-quality educational opportunities for school age children in this county. I can confidently attest that we all share this in common. Educational programs in this county are rooted in community. We all contribute to this. Volunteers, role models, and community help our young children identify and realize goals. Often under-discussed but never underappreciated volunteers and community create irreplaceable experiences in the lives of young people. Volunteers – Chimiigwech, for all you do.
Each month a representative of our local schools will offer thoughts in Issues in Education. This month’s contributor Director Anna Deschampe of Oshki Ogimaag.
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