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\n NYSUT educators and parents gathered at the Capitol last year for a rally to end child poverty. (Photo credit: Provided)
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A student in Ilion missed school for a week. When he finally returned to class, he explained that he hadn\u2019t had access to a washing machine, and he couldn\u2019t come to school in dirty clothes. <\/p>\n
Another student \u2014 a 9-year-old in Rochester \u2014 missed school because he felt the need to stay home to protect his mother in a house with no locks. <\/p>\n
These are just two of the stories captured in 1 in 5, a new long-form NYSUT film about the devastating impact of childhood poverty in New York State. <\/p>\n
New York State\u202fis one of the wealthiest regions in the world \u2014 a global leader in industry,\u202ffinance\u202fand innovation. Yet,\u202fone\u202fin\u202ffive\u202fchildren in this state lives in poverty; meaning that more than\u202f760,000 students\u202faren\u2019t getting their basic needs met. \u202f\u202f <\/p>\n
The number of families living in poverty in New York has grown 10% since 2010. The number struggling to make ends meet has grown even faster, at 21%. <\/p>\n
Every day, educators see first-hand how unmet basic needs keep their students from thriving, and NYSUT\u2019s timely film \u2014 which took a year to complete and includes the voices of educators, parents, and advocates \u2014 explores the stark reality these students face in rural, suburban and urban communities. <\/p>\n
In the film, Zachary Arenz, music teacher and member of Rochester Teachers Association, talks about how what happens to students at home bleeds into their academic life, and keeps them from reaching their full potential. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m honored to have had even a small part in this project,\u201d Arenz said of the film. \u201c1 in 5 reflects what educators are seeing every day: that students\u2019 academic success is often tied to their lived experiences, and that meaningful change will require partnership between schools, families and policymakers.\u201d <\/p>\n
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The film also captures the perspectives of teachers at Syracuse STEM at Blodgett Middle School where 95 percent of students live below the poverty line; Syracuse has the worst childhood poverty rate in the U.S. among larger cities. <\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like subconsciously our kids deal with, \u2018I\u2019m not meant to be here. I\u2019m not loved. No one really cares about me,\u2019\u201d said Leeza Roper, ELA teacher and member of Syracuse Teachers Association. <\/p>\n
The film also shows to what lengths dedicated educators are going every day to help address poverty\u2019s effects on their students, including clothing closets, coat drives, food distribution programs, back-pack programs, and more. Finally, the film introduces some of the most promising policies for addressing this issue, including community schools, which have proven to be remarkably successful when it comes to improving student outcomes. <\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the most effective tools we have is the community schools model. Community schools serve as vital hubs, providing wraparound services that support family health, community safety and children’s needs,\u201d said NYSUT President Melinda Person. <\/p>\n
From dental and eye exams and community food pantries to free childcare and housing\u202fassistance, these schools provide services tailored to their community’s specific needs, and they are led by a community schools director or coordinator, who connects families directly with services, Person said. <\/p>\n
Currently, there is no dedicated source of state funding for community schools, but NYSUT is asking the state legislature to provide $100 million in categorical aid to expand community schools, $4 million to sustain UFT\u2019s network\u202fof community schools;\u202fand\u202f $5 million for the United Federation of Teachers\u2019 United Community Schools\u202fto provide statewide technical\u202fassistance\u202fand support.\u202f <\/p>\n
NYSUT is also asking for legislators to support the executive budget proposal to continue New York\u2019s Universal School Meals program, which provides free breakfast and lunch to all students. <\/p>\n
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NYSUT is also pushing for other policy measures to close New York\u2019s growing wealth inequality, including increasing income tax on the ultra-wealthy and increasing corporate taxes by 1.9 percent, on par with neighboring states. <\/p>\n
The film was shown to legislators at an exclusive screening at the Legislative Office Building in February and received positive feedback. In the coming months, NYSUT will be releasing this film across the state as part of its \u201c1 in 5\u201d campaign. <\/p>\n
“Poverty is not inevitable. We can do something about this. We can get change made, and we\u2019re going to do it,\u201d said Person. <\/p>\n