It's Time to Help the Students!

"In 2017, most children and youth experiencing homelessness who were unaccompanied were 13 to 17 years old (87 percent), while a disproportionately high number of all children in federally-funded shelters were infants (under age 1) and young children (ages 6 and younger)–10 and 45 percent, respectively" (Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness).

     Children living in poverty, along with those living on the streets with their families have an inadequate access to the proper school supplies and may experience a very uncomfortable living situation which makes it hard to get their school work done. Also, when children are worried about if they'll be warm at night or where their next meal is coming from they tend to not put much stress on school and their responsibilities. The combination of those aspects will greatly increase a child's risk of becoming a high school drop-out. "Homeless students are twice as likely as non-homeless students to have to repeat a grade, be expelled, get suspended, or drop out of high school." According to the National Center on Family Homelessness, just about 1.6 million students are homeless in the United States each year, affecting their education and future. If students are dropping out of school, they are making it almost impossible for themselves to get out of the poverty hole and make a better future than living on the streets.

How can teachers help?

     If teachers are noticing a child is constantly absent from class, that they're showing up in the same clothes, that they don't have the best hygiene, that they're are falling asleep in class, and/or many other scenarios, that child may be homeless. Here a few ways a teacher could help make a difference in their life:

1. Giving that particular student the extra attention they need buy administering after-school or before-school tutoring.
2. Pair that student with a buddy who is excelling in class
3. Provide that child with food, basic hygiene, healthcare, school supplies and clothing. Teachers could provide a community resource list for their family as well.
4. Provide the student with a counselor 
5. Plan assignments in class in order for the student to keep up without having to take any work home

To learn move information on the homeless children in our community: https://ccrscenter.org/blog/16-million-students-are-homeless-each-year-affecting-student-achievement-high-school-dropout, https://www.childtrends.org/indicators/homeless-children-and-youth and http://www.familyhomelessness.org/