According to United to Learn President Carol Goglia,
There is no question that back-to-school season is looking very different: drive-by meet-the-teacher, delayed school starts, virtual learning options, new entry procedures with health checks, and mask wearing. But, while things feel and look different, one thing remains the same: United to Learn is underway with their annual Learning Launch campaign and needs your help. United to Learn is a Dallas-based nonprofit that partners with 53 Dallas ISD elementary schools to accelerate student achievement and grow purposeful leaders.
As students and teachers begins this new school year that is unlike any other academic year they have experienced to date, United to Learn has solicited teacher requests for much-needed learning resources and is raising the needed funds to acquire and donate these necessary education tools to elementary school educators.
Research has shown that teachers typically spend an average of $600 annually of their own money to ensure their students have the tools needed to succeed. Over the years, these tools have included everything from books, vocabulary flash cards, headphones and more. The goal of Learning Launch is to fulfill these needs so teachers can have the necessary resources to educate young learners without coming out of their own pocket.
This year the impact of COVID-19 is creating an even more acute situation for teachers and schools as they equip their classrooms to follow new health and safety guidelines, that include desks at a safe distance, individual learning tools and supplies to reduce sharing, and new technology to sign-in students and capture individuals’ temperatures. The requests this year have included digital education curricula, wayfinding signage for temperature checks, and more. Learning Launch aims to fill the wish lists of Dallas ISD elementary teachers.
To help fund more teacher needs, United to Learn hosted an exciting virtual, at-home celebration to raise critical funds to help fill these essential resource gaps. The event, “Dinner for a Cause,” chaired by the amazing and creative Lindsay Billingsley was a great success! Just like many are flipping the classroom these days, Lindsay and team flipped the charitable gala! Donors received a dinner for two and a keepsake tablescape delivered on Thursday, September 10, by Alto. The recipe was created by Dallas’ renowned food influencer and New York Times bestselling author of The Defined Dish, Alex Snodgrass, prepared by Origin Bar + Kitchen, and included an festive, reusable tablescape created by Emily Clarke Events.
Even though Dinner for a Cause is behind us, Learning Launch roars on, and we need you! Donations of any amount will go far to help fulfill teachers’ wish lists and cover additional needs as this unprecedented year evolves. They can be made at www.unitedtolearn.org/learninglaunch. With a focus on literacy education, United to Learn’s Learning Launch seeks to fulfill every teacher request across all Dallas ISD partner elementary schools city-wide, benefiting 28,500 students and 2,500 educators.
* Graphic and photo provided by United To Learn