Community

Students in need face added obstacles as school returns

Up to 80 percent of children at one Charlotte-Mecklenburg school go to class without the proper school supplies they need to succeed.  “We regularly meet children and families who have very little access to resources, and so they depend on the care of the local community,” Mark Landon, a parent advocate at Merry Oaks International Academy, said.
The basic lack of school tools like pencils, paper and rulers can have a negative effect on a student’s self-esteem. “Students who lack resources tend to think more poorly of themselves, which can cause gaps in confidence,” Landon said.
For the past 20 years, in partnership with Communities in Schools Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Classroom Central, WSOC-TV collects school supplies, which are then distributed to students in grades K-12. These items play a big role in preparing students to be successful in the upcoming school year.
Landon said that a program like 9 School Tools is essential “for the health of our school, our students and our families.”  
“Simply put, programs like this (9 School Tools) remove obstacles to learning, giving every student a chance to excel,” Landon said.
Landon said that if a student lacks essential school supplies, they begin to think more poorly of themselves, which can cause frustration, which tends to negatively impact learning.  
“Our desire is to see all obstacles to learning removed, allowing our students to thrive,” Landon said.
From now until Aug. 26, you can donate school supplies at over 40 donation locations across the Carolinas.  You can find your nearest donation location by clicking on this link for 9 School Tools Donation Locations.
You can also donate school supplies at forty WSOC-TV 9 Family Focus partner locations: Showmars, Ashley HomeStoreHendrick Honda or E.R. Plumbing Services.
Learn more about the 9 School Tools at www.9SchoolTools.com
If your organization or business would like to get involved or help with 9 School Tools, or if you have an inspiring story to share, please email Kevin Campbell, community affairs manager for WSOC-TV, at Kevin.Campbell@wsoctv.com