The Dallas Independent School District has suffered through all types of challenges in recent years. From tornadoes ravaging schools and COVID-19 stymying traditional classes to February’s Winter Storm URI, students and faculty have tried to maintain their studies.
To help them through these especially tough times has been United To Learn, which works in 47 DISD elementary schools where nine out of 10 students qualify for free and reduced meals.
One way in which United To Learn provides true-blue hands-on support is through its annual Community Campus Day in which they coordinate a volunteer effort to “provide needed updates and resources to assist our schools in developing 21st century learners who are prepared to learn and lead.”
Just a year ago, Community Campus Day had more than 250 volunteers and sponsors help transform 26 schools that included redesigning 20 learning spaces and impacting more than 15,000 students.
Realizing that the pandemic had really caused even greater stress on students and staff, the United To Learn team upped their game plan to provide 39 citywide improvement projects for DISD elementary schools.
2021 Community Campus Day Chair Dan Healey and his team “have been working with the schools for months to gather their needs, do site visits to understand what will have the most impact and can be safely executed.”
On Saturday, March 27**, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. the plan calls for 30 volunteers per campus in safe ways “to revitalize gardens, paint murals, create calming spaces, stencil games on sidewalks, etc. that will make a real difference for the students.”
According to United To Learn President Carol Goglia, “These are meaningful projects that really effect the day-to-day experiences of students and teachers. Due to COVID, teacher stress is at alarming levels — social emotional supports are critical. United to Learn’s mission is an inspiring example of people overcoming barriers to provide spaces that help teachers and students find light in these times — the light they need to learn and thrive despite so many daily challenges.”
But to achieve their goal, Dan and the United To Learn team need two key ingredients:
- Sponsorships are needed ASAP to provide materials and other resources to accomplish the projects. Those who sign up by Wednesday, March 10, will be included in event materials.
- Volunteers to make the plans become reality. If you and the kids are sick and tired of staying at home on a Saturday morning, why not make it a family project.
* Graphic/video provided by United To Learn ** Alternatives/rain dates: Saturday, April 10 and Saturday, April 17