Lauren's Blog: The Presence of Poverty

Poverty certainly affects the students at Kirkman Park Elementary in a multitude of ways and on a daily basis. The presence of poverty is quite noticeable of anyone who may enter the school. It is not only noticeable through the building, supplies, and equipment they have but in the students themselves.

It is unfortunate but yet, very true that many of the students live in great poverty and poor conditions at home. The majority of the students at my school participate in the free lunch program that the school provides as well as the backpack program which provides students food to take home on the weekends. The students too often look unbathed, with dirty uniforms and a poor scent. After working at the school now for a good portion of the year, I would say that the students at my school suffer from generational or relative poverty. I say this because it is evident that many families lack the basic needs one should have. For example, one of my students told me that hey do not have heat or running water, therefore, he does not bath on a regular basis. Another student in my class always complains of being hungry due to the lack of food that is provided at the home. In both of these situations the students are being deprived of basic needs which causes their academic performance and behavior to being affected. As stated in, Teaching with Poverty in Mind, by Eric Jenson, "Kids raised in poverty - those kids who have the greatest social, academic, emotional, and health needs - are often those who have the least access to essential human services and classroom accommodations."(pg 69 ) I have found this to be incredibly true amongst the students I am working with.

The students are affected by poverty not only from the clothing they wear or the food they eat. The students at the elementary school are certainly affected by their poor home environments. It is very clear that the students are exposed to negative environments and sometimes have bad examples at home that are displaying incorrect behavior. It is difficult to try and change the child's perspective on education and behavior if they return home where education is not held very high.

Teachers have the opportunity each and every day to change the life of a child. The quote, "be the change you wish to see in the world" by Gandhi speaks wonders in the lives of teachers. For example, working in this Title 1 school it is obvious that the school and it's students need help, they need a change. Teachers, staff, and students alike should try to make the best of everyday to make each day count. Poverty in the community of High Point, NC alone is very troubled but it is also apparent that it is also affecting people across the states, according to William J. Bennett, ( CNN reporter ) "...nearly half of all Americans are living near or in poverty." He also notes in the article, "Reduce Poverty by Promoting Schools, Families" that, "The first step of alleviating poverty is to promote better schools, families, and churches." I agree with his statement and think if people were to do so perhaps we would see a change. Students mainly spend all of their time in school or at home which is why we must start to promote these areas first. We need to promote more positive environments, healthy living, as well as families serving as positive examples.

In the text Teaching with Poverty in Mind ( pg 94 ) notes that, "The enrichment mindset means fostering intellectual curiosity, emotional engagement, and social bonding." I feel that this quote in most appropriate in the situation that I am seeing at Kirkman Park. The parents are not enriching their children at home nor are most of them encouraging education. The students do need to foster positive relationship and yes, there are multiple after school programs or lunch buddy programs, but in many cases it needs to start with the parents. I know the parents of the students are not as involved in their lives as they should be. The parents don't pick their kids up from school and ask how their day is nor do they congratulate them on grades. I am not doubting all parents at the school but I feel the majority of the students are lacking parent involvement. In order to enhance the lives of these students in poverty the school could try their best to truly reach out to the parent seeking their involvement with their students lives as well as the school as a whole.

We all know that change does not happen overnight. The school is slowly reaching towards improvement by integrating programs such as the lunch buddy program and big brothers, big sisters. They are both beneficial to the children, although they are only small steps. Yet, sometimes the smallest actions are what counts. Overall, Kirkman Park needs to enhance parent involvement both at the school and at home in order to foster a positive and happy relationship with their child in order to support them in furthering their education.

According to: National Center for Education Statistics. The Washington Post. 2010.