SAN ANTONIO – Students at Robert B. Green Elementary School got a back-to-school boost Friday as Thomas J. Henry and Texas YES teamed up to provide supplies for children and some financial relief for their families.
Students in kindergarten through fifth grade at the San Antonio ISD school received essential school supplies to help them start the new year ready to learn.
For Assistant Principal Jalenora Johnson, the donation means students can focus on the classroom instead of worrying about whether they have everything they need.
It is a true blessing because at this difficult time with money, our parents really were surprised they didn’t have to bring anything,” Johnson said. “They greatly appreciated this.
Johnson said the impact extends beyond the classroom by taking one more expense off parents’ back-to-school lists.
“It’s awesome for the parents,” she said. “They had little to do when they went back home because everything was supplied for them.”
The excitement was also easy to see among the students as they received their new supplies.
“The kids got to come to school and the kids were very excited about getting these supplies,” Johnson said. “Their faces really lit up, so it was greatly appreciated.”
Johnson said having new supplies waiting for students can also make a difference in how they feel when they walk into their classrooms at the beginning of a new school year.
They want to feel welcome. They want to feel like they have everything to begin their day so they can have a fresh start,” she said. “They’re ready to learn. They don’t have to look around and feel like they’re missing something. They come very prepared.
Johnson said partnerships between schools, businesses and community organizations are especially important for families struggling with the cost of getting children ready for school.
“We have families that are underserved, and this is the best way to reach out to them,” Johnson said. “This small piece helps out a lot.”
She hopes the partnership with Thomas J. Henry and other members of the community continues.
“It’s amazing. I like the partnerships,” Johnson said. “Hopefully we can continue the partnership with him and other community members. It’s something that we look forward to every year.”