By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The pandemic has widened the gaps that already existed for students in the Bowling Green City School District. And after 18 months of COVID-19, the schools are short on staff, the students are short on supplies, and even the cafeterias are short on food students are accustomed to.
Board of Education member Ginny Stewart reported Tuesday evening that she reached out to the principals of each building in the district to find out their particular needs.
“The pandemic created many different challenges,” Stewart said during the board meeting. “We have needs in our classrooms in every single building.”
“It’s worse than ever now. I’m just making this plea to the community to please step up,” Stewart said.
All the schools are seeing a “grave shortage” of para-professionals, substitute teachers and volunteers. Other needs include:
- Conneaut Elementary is in particular need of library volunteers, plus boys and girls underwear, shoes in all sizes, and pants in all sizes.
- Kenwood Elementary needs help creating a sensory space, packaged snacks, headphones and earbuds, and boys pants of all sizes.
- Crim Elementary is short on substitutes for the cafeteria and playground.
- The Middle School needs three-ring zippered binders (trappers), No. 2 pencils, folders, water bottles and paper cups.
- The High School would like help with homecoming, since the event has been moved outside. Along with parent volunteers, donations are needed to help provide activities like food trucks, photos booths and bounce houses. “We are looking for monetary sponsorships for homecoming,” Stewart said.
The “Bobcat Basics Pantry” at the Middle School is finding its supplies running short for students who need clothing, toiletries and hygiene items. The pantry, which gives items to students at no cost, also needs breakfast items like mini-muffins or breakfast bars for kids to take home for the weekends so they have something to eat.
Due to supply chain issues, even the school food service program is having problems getting the customary cafeteria foods. Items like the popular “Bosco sticks” are off the menu for now.
“The food is going to restaurants before it goes to schools,” Stewart said. “They are doing everything they can to provide nutritional food to our kids.”
The high school cafeteria is short staffed, and the elementaries need lunch monitors.
The maintenance department needs custodial staff.
The school transportation department is hitting up retirees to drive buses.
The district would also like to help students who have qualified for athletic teams, but are unable to pay for uniforms or sports equipment.
“There is a real need in every single one of our buildings,” Stewart said. “This was heartbreaking for me to read.”
Stewart suggested that anyone able to help contact the building principals, or the district’s human relations department if they could potentially fill an opening.
“This is really, really important,” she said.
