Parker High staff provide for needy students
Photo
Parker High Social Studies teacher Deri Wahlert is surrounded by some of the staff and PTSA funded clothing in the Parker Closet, for impoverished students.
JANESVILLE — Times are tough for many, but most of us don’t know the ache of a teenager whose parents can’t pay the rent, whose electricity is turned off, who don’t have proper clothing.
Those are daily problems for some Parker High School students, and that’s why staff members have joined an effort to ease the pain of poverty.
It’s called Parker Closet, named for the stores of donated clothing and toiletries stored in teacher Deri Wahlert’s room.
When staff members find out about a need, they refer the student to Wahlert, who lets the student pick through the items. Wahlert also might get bus tokens or send an appeal to staff to fill special needs, such as a bicycle.
One girl who benefited from the program said her family’s gas and electricity were turned off, so staff arranged for her to shower at school.
“We have no heat. We have no hot water. But we’re working very well with it. We have a space heater,” the girl said.
She said her mother recently got a seasonal job after going through surgery. Her mom’s boyfriend is working “24/7” to keep the family afloat. An understanding landlord lets them make payments until they can catch up on rent.
They got the heater because her little sister suffers from migraines that can be triggered by the cold, the girl said. They’re waiting to hear if they can get heating assistance from the state.
The sisters still have needs, such as underwear and “girl things,” she said.
“I would really like to get a job to help my sister out,” she added.
They received sweaters, a coat, shampoo and tissues from Parker Closet.
“My mom just appreciates it so much,” the girl said.
The girl said it’s difficult for her to handle the situation, and sometimes she vents her feelings at school.
“I stress a lot, but my teachers are very helpful,” she said.
Parker Closet is kept quiet so as not to embarrass the students.
Twelve students have been helped so far this year.
“I think that’s a lot, and as the year goes on, I think we’ll find more and more students who have this need,” as economic woes deepen locally, Wahlert said.
Some of the students’ families are homeless. Others are close to it. Some have lost jobs, or child support has dried up.
Wahlert said she was touched by two brothers who got help from Parker Closet. Their family is struggling to provide the basics, including rent. She asked the boys what their mother might like for Christmas.
They thought about it, and all they asked for was a Christmas card from the two of them.
TO HELP
Anyone wishing to support the efforts of Parker Closet may contact Deri Wahlert at (608) 743-5804.
POVERTY RISING
The percentage of Parker High School students whose families are considered low-income under federal guidelines is on the increase.
More than 30 percent, or 482 students, were receiving free or reduced-priced lunches at Parker as of Oct. 31, the district reports. Most of those—387—qualified for free lunch.
Last school year, 435 students received free or reduced-price lunches.
Nov 26, 2008 at 5:12 p.m.
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thank you Angelwings- I have a wonderful family, and the nurses and doctors took great care of me at Mercy. I will be good to go in a couple months. Just no more jumping out of airplanes! (OK never did that but thats what they said LOL)
Nov 25, 2008 at 4:44 p.m.
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I got a hold of Deri this morning. She is such a nice woman!Any help they can get with basic everyday items would be great.i.e...toothbrushes,soap and so on..
Nov 24, 2008 at 8:13 p.m.
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I tried to call the woman today, her mail box has been full. I will take that as a good sign and will try again tomorrow.nurse4u,hope you recover well and good luck!!
Nov 24, 2008 at 2:25 p.m.
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Angelwings-I wish I could do so much right now, but I am on recovery from a cervical neck injury that I had surgery on. but Thank you for all that YOU do. Soon, I will be able to contribute too. You are an Amazing woman and have a great family. Thats all I need to say.
thank you to Parker HS for going above and beyond. Teachers and staff at our schools do way more than they have to because they WANT to.Not because they HAVE to.
God Bless Parker Closet and may we all Have Happy Holidays. Helping others is the true meaning of giving.
I am thankful I have my family. That's the best gift I can have.
Nov 24, 2008 at 8:46 a.m.
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nurse4u,your words are very kind. Dont worry,people dont get me down anymore.I know what im doing is a good thing and everyone coming together is proof of that.I hope I can be of some help to the schools program.I hadnt heard of it until I read this article.
Nov 24, 2008 at 2:43 a.m.
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How can just one person, totally wreck the meaning of this story.
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As a former student of Ms. Wahlert, I know first hand the compassion she and her fellow colleagues share for their students. Teachers like her and many others at Parker, have made it easier for students to make it through another week during tough times at home. And most adults just see them as an over paid babysitter. Well those over-paid babysitter are the reason your kids graduated.
Nov 23, 2008 at 11:21 p.m.
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angelwings-dont let others bring you down. You brought our community together and helped many people. You took an iniatitive. Your reward is the good feelings you got helping others. Do NOT let anyone take that from you.
I came from foster care, gang infested neighborhood southside of Chicago. I did not have any parents that cared whether I ate or not. I was a teenage terror. Then I was a single mom. I put myself through school with the help of the community that embraced me. I did that with help from friends and strangers. I graduated. It was people like you that offered me hope.You never know how an act of kindness will change someone's life forever.
Thank you to the nurse who worked at Fort Atkinson Hospital in July 1999 when I had my daughter and offered transportation to Children's Hospital in Milwaukee so that I could be with her. You showed me that people do care. You inspired me to be a nurse. YOU changed my life. Thank you.
Nov 23, 2008 at 7:13 p.m.
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I am willing to help where I can! Im calling this woman tomorrow! And,hooterhorse,how do we do it? Like anyone else.We work,struggle,work,struggle and hope for the best ! I was shocked during my "free stuff" thing.Someone actually said,"you have this nice house,what do you understand about what the poor go through?". I answered,"We are poor too.We have cheaper rent in exchange for fixing the place up for the owner to sell the house.Then we are back to a 3 bedroom apt. with a family of six."Anymore questions?
Nov 23, 2008 at 6:05 p.m.
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It's very hard as a single mom...and for people out of work..I have had to ask for help for the first time this year with utilities.. I have been trying to cut my budget as I can..
* Shop with the SHARE WI..I got a Thanksgiving Dinner package for $25 (a turkey, stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and a produce assortment of apples, oranges, celery, onion, potatoes) It's a great value..
* Goodwill offers student discounts on Saturdays and 1/2 off certain color tags Sun-Fri
Nov 23, 2008 at 4:59 p.m.
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And, by the way, Simon, I didn't say there weren't. Please reread my entry.
Nov 23, 2008 at 12:25 p.m.
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Deri is to commended for her great efforts to help the Parker community. And, by the way, NVgrf, there are many wonderful teachers at Parker...in ALL departments!!
Nov 23, 2008 at 12:05 p.m.
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Amazing!
Nov 23, 2008 at 11:52 a.m.
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God Bless you!!
These are hard times for many people. Christmas is about family and helkping others, not about how many gifts are under the tree.
My favorite gifts are presents the schools had my children make..
Nov 23, 2008 at 9:01 a.m.
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I taught with Deri for a couple of years prior to my retirement. She is a wonderful, caring young teacher who always put the well being of her students first! I hope that the west side realizes the terrific group of teachers that they have within the Parker High School Social Studies Department.
Nov 23, 2008 at 8:27 a.m.
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A big pat on the back to Deri Wahlert. What a great program. As a former colleague of hers, I know she's working hard to make sure these kids' needs are filled. Great job!
Nov 23, 2008 at 8 a.m.
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The problem for a long time has been underemployment, not unemployment. When you have unemployment you get state assistance, but what about the person working a minimum wage job that gets their hours cut back to part-time, or their hours fluctuate. How can they support a family on that.
Something needs to be done!...and soon!
Nov 23, 2008 at 6:01 a.m.
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How on earth do people do it? 25 years ago when I was a young, single mother...there was help. Now there is nothing. I even heard that ECHO is out of food. Is this true? Even if people manage to find a low paying job...it's not enough to pay rent& utilities. I know of someone who said they are being evicted because they can't afford to pay the $500.00 quarterly water bill! Something is not right with that bill...how can anyone use $500.00 of water even for a family of six?
Soon eveyone will have to be in survival mode and the "everyone for themself" attitude will kick in. It's scary now and it will only get worse. My heart goes out to all that are suffering...especially the kids. I try to do what little I can to help, but it looks like I will have to make more sacrifices in order to help others in need. Otherwise, my existence here on earth is for nothing and wasted.
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