web1_TTL091216dicton.bdy_.jpg

Happy birthday Asher Jude Dicton!

web1_112397665-26492a9c9bb9402a81185da5515140da.jpg

Kate Upton: Dolphins’ national anthem protest ‘a disgrace’

<p>Would it be a good idea to &#8230;</p><p>&#8230; chip in money so that area teachers could better equip their classrooms?</p><p>Stop right there, many readers probably are thinking. Shouldn&#8217;t our public school teachers already have all the books, construction paper and computer equipment that students require, courtesy of the taxes paid by property owners to their local school districts?</p><p>Ideally, yes. But a recent Associated Press article from Philadelphia drew attention to the rise of crowdfunding &#8211; the soliciting of small donations from many people via online registries such as GoFundMe &#8211; as a way for educators to buy paints, pens, iPads and other desired items.</p><p>&#8220;Teachers create campaigns by writing a story about their needs, often accompanied by classroom pictures,&#8221; wrote reporter Megan Trimble.</p><p>School teachers in affluent districts sometimes use the strategy for securing the &#8220;extras,&#8221; while struggling districts, including those in recently flood-ravaged Louisiana, seek speedy access to the basics.</p><p>The Associated Press article stated: &#8220;Contributions to education campaigns have climbed on GoFundMe and DonorsChoose, collectively, from just more than $31.2 million in 2010 to nearly $140 million in 2015, the do-it-yourself fundraising sites report. Both sites are on pace to eclipse that in 2016.&#8221;</p><p>During a single month earlier this year, 18 Erie County teachers were asking for support via campaigns on DonorsChoose.org, Erie&#8217;s newspaper reported.</p><p>In Northeastern Pennsylvania, school boosters previously found one way to help fill in the cracks: Create educational foundations. Reliant on volunteer fundraisers, the foundation is independent of a school district but supports its mission.</p><p>Among the area groups to spring up in recent years are the Wyoming Valley West Educational Foundation (see <a href="http://www.wvweducationalfoundation.org/" target="_blank">wvweducationalfoundation.org</a>) and the Wilkes-Barre Area Educational Improvement Foundation (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/wbaei" target="_blank">facebook.com/wbaei</a>). Other Luzerne County school districts reportedly supported by foundations include Dallas, Crestwood, Pittston Area and Hazleton Area.</p><p>Typically, a foundation&#8217;s participants will survey teachers to see what they want, then fulfill some of the requests each year.</p><p>Could these wish-lists be broadcast more broadly in our community, potentially bringing in more bucks?</p><p>Are area teachers satisfied with the materials they&#8217;ve been provided to begin this school year? Are parents and students satisfied?</p><p>If not, has anyone thought to write a letter to the editor, informing readers of the situation in the classroom?</p><p>Give us your feedback by sending a letter to the editor or posting comments to this editorial at timesleader.com.</p><p>Likewise, tell us your ideas for improving the community. Maybe we&#8217;ll spotlight your suggestion in a future editorial and ask readers, &#8220;Would it be a good idea to &#8230;&#8221;</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_back-to-school-1210124_1920.jpg">
<div class="neCaption"></div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_back-to-school-1210124_1920.jpg</photo0><caption0></caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>

Our Opinion: Respond to teachers’ requests for school supplies