[CALIBK12] Laura Bush Foundation Grant

[Miranda Doyle]

I received the Laura Bush grant this year for my middle school (San Francisco Unified School District, 73% receive free and reduced lunches). I can understand Darla's frustration, but I have to agree with the argument that my students have less access to books at home and are less likely to be able to purchase books compared with students in wealthier areas. School libraries in high-poverty areas do need more new, appealing books for this reason. 

In our faculty meeting yesterday we were discussing the idea of equity versus equality -- some students may need more help, modifications, resources, etc. than others to reach a high level of achievement. This isn't necessarily unfair, it's just what is necessary to help them learn. Because my students now have access to fewer books overall, I do think it is equitable to give them more at school. 

I was a high school librarian for several years at a private school, so I know it can be difficult to find funding no matter where you are. Maybe you could advocate to the donors to help them set different priorities (library over athletics)? 

I hope you are able to find other grants, or that you get a Laura Bush grant despite your students' financial status!

Miranda Doyle
Martin Luther King Middle School
San Francisco, CA 


> [cid:image002.gif at 01C938F7.286958C0]
> Afternoon, Folks:  I have a question-specifically for those
> of you who have received a grant from the Laura Bush
> Foundation. I notice that one of the deciding factors in
> grant distribution is that the schools selected serve
> low-income families (see below, from FAQ on the site). My
> question: is it worth my time to attempt to convince them in
> my proposal that THE LIBRARY in my private school of 75%
> wealthy white students suffers because of our lack of access
> to state and federal funds, and because our private
> donations nearly always go to the athletic dept.? (I
> certainly hope I don't sound like a spoiled brat
> whining...that's not my intention-I just need books!)
> Feel free to reply off list. Thanks so much for your input
> on this.
> Eligibility
> 
> Why does the Laura Bush Foundation for America 's
> Libraries target only schools with a very high percentage of
> students who qualify for free or reduced price lunch?
> 
> The Laura Bush Foundation for America 's Libraries
> understands that most schools need money for books and that
> school and library budgets are often inadequate.  However,
> because funds are limited and research shows that children
> in low income families are least likely to have access to
> books, we are targeting the nation's neediest schools
> and students for grants.  In order to establish need, the
> committee is using the widely known and reported "free
> and reduced price lunch percentage" as its criteria for
> establishing need.
> 
> 
> Mrs. Darla Brown, TL, M.Ed.
> Teacher Librarian
> Garces Memorial High School
> "60 Years of Excellence in Catholic Education"
> 661-327-2578 x133
> dbrown at garces.org
>